Mercy occurs because of what is in God and is not brought on or motivated by the need of a helpless transgressor.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. (Psalms 51:1)
God's mercy or act of having pity towards man is based on his loving kindness and tender mercies. Loving kindness occurs when he displays favor towards someone. An example of this is found in the book of Esther. When the uninvited Queen Esther approached the King, the King showed loving kindness by putting forth the sceptre and receiving her. Similarly, this is God's response to man. But even greater than loving kindness is tender mercy. Tender mercy comes from a word meaning the womb or the bowels. As the tender love of a mother towards the baby that she carries, so is God's love towards us. In spite of us falling into sin, he yearns deeply inside for us. It is this deep yearning that causes him to exercise mercy towards us.
Many times when we wrong people, we try to perform actions that may turn their heart to forgive us. With God it is not necessary. By tender mercy he takes the first step and reaches out to man. It is his tender mercy that brings conviction, repentance and confession. If it were not for his loving kindness and tender mercy we would be without hope.
As you grow in grace, allow God to develop this loving kindness and tender mercy towards those around you. As long as you continue to focus on yourself and your own needs, you will never reach this state. However when you esteem others better than yourself and look on the needs of them as stated in Philippians 2:4, you will begin to grow into the image of Christ.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (Philippians 2:4)
If you would like to read more of these thoughts in a hard copy format, my new book is now available at the link below.
https://www.createspace.com/4441566
To view other posts or to receive this blog by email, sign up at drafusco.wordpress.com
No comments:
Post a Comment