There are many Christian concepts that have great overlap in meaning. Kindness and love. Hope and faith. Grace and mercy.
If a person is kind, then the person is usually loving, too. But what is the difference? Is there a difference?
If one has hope, does she also have faith? What’s the similarity?
If God is gracious and merciful, are these mere synonyms or not?
This week, the Christian concept we will meditate on is mercy.
The dictionary definition of mercy is actually quite helpful to understand the biblical concept. IT means compassion, kindness, or forgiveness shown to someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. It implies forbearing punishment. Thanks, Merriam-Webster!
What does the Bible say about mercy?
James 2:13 “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Or, in Nehemiah, he and the people of Israel return to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls, and they do so despite the difficulties. Upon reading the Law and renewing the covenant with the Lord, we read, “Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and had committed great blasphemies, you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness” (9:18-19).
It seems grace and mercy have overlap, yet mercy is distinct from grace? But what is the distinction?
The best distinction I have heard is from D. A. Carson. He says, “Grace responds to the undeserving; mercy responds to the miserable.” God’s love expands to all the undeserving sinners; his mercy showers upon all those who are in misery. Perhaps some of you need the mercy of God this week in particular.
Come, and gather to worship our gracious and merciful God.
Love you, LifeWay family.
Tim