FROM THE PULPIT: THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

We could define this characteristic of God as: The outward manifestation of pity; it assumes need on the part of the one who receives it and resources adequate to meet those needs on the part of Him who uses it.

As we have mentioned time and time again, the mercy of God is sovereign, which means, and we quote from Paul in Romans Chapter 9: "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

God's pity is not like our pity; His mercy is governed by His own purpose and free will and can not be altered by any actions from the creature. We see from scripture that God's mercy is said to be: Everlasting (I Chr. 16:34). Long-suffering (Ps. 78:35, 38). Plenteous (Ps. 86:13,15).

The mercy of God also has the effect of: Purging sin (Prov. 16:6, i.e. only through the agency of Christ and His righteousness). Forgiving sin (Ex. 34:6, 7). It is tied together with: Love (Eph. 2:4-7). It is free not something we can earn by anything we do, say or work for (Titus 3:5).

Some say that there is a general mercy that God has towards all His subjects, this may be true, but this is more closely related to His goodness. For He does send the rain upon the just and unjust, and His goodness is surely seen in His long-suffering with the unregenerate (of which none can plead innocence). However, the Mercy of our great God is distinguishing and particular, all based upon His glorious covenant, which He purposed before the world, began. (Eph. 1: 1 -6).

Knowing or experiencing this wonderful truth of Christ will most certainly cause His people to bow before Him in humble adoration. We know that if we have received mercy from His Holy and Pure hands it must have been because of His own Free and Sovereign will and nothing that we did for Him. Next lesson (last lesson): The Wrath and Love of God.