God Be Merciful

First published: 2021-08-24

People are very reluctant, and most are unwilling, to admit their faults and their failures. On the other hand we hear the loud calls for justice to be done. But who sets the rules of what is right and what is wrong? Does every man set the rules for himself, or does the government, or the rich, or does Hollywood set the rules for right and wrong?

There is no justice without a perfectly just God, who lays down the norms of justice, upholds justice and judges any violation of justice. God will judge the transgressions of his law, the disobedience to his commands (see: Romans 5:18-19; 1Timothy 1:9).

Some people, having killed their conscience, believe that there is no God who will judge. However, one day they will find out the bitter truth that they were wrong, the day, when they will stand before the eternal Judge, who will judge “the secrets of men.” (Romans 2:16).

But God is not only just, his is also merciful and gracious. He does not want our destruction, he does not want to condemn us to hell.

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Matthew 9:10-13).

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:10-14).

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18).

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9).

And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17).