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The Attributes of God: Mercy

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But God, being rich in mercy…
(Ephesians 2:4)

in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
(Romans 9:23-24)

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit
(Titus 3:5)

Mercy is when that punishment which is deserved is withheld to the benefit of the object of the mercy.

God has demonstrated this attribute in abundance with respect to mankind. We, from nearly the beginning of our existence, have deserved nothing but wrath. Having sinned and fallen short of eternal life in glory, we can do nothing to commend ourselves to or defend ourselves before God. Absolutely nothing.

But thankfully, God has been so amazing in His mercy. Over and against merely having the mercy to allow us to live out our miserable lives without destroying us instantly, God has chosen us to greatness and glory by the hand of His Son. The believer finds himself in Christ and enjoys full well the fruits of God’s mercy.

For more on the fruits of God’s mercy read Tuesday’s exposition of Ephesians 2.

Other attributes we’ve discussed so far:

Comments

  1. Tremendous! Thank you so much for posting this!

    God’s timing is perfect. I needed to hear this now.

    Thanks be to God for this website blog!

    A blessing daily.

  2. Rejoice, you repentant ones! From the NASB: ” The LORD’s lovingkindnesses (mercies; and the longest word in the Bible, I think) indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23.

    • Actually the longest word is the name mahershalalhashbaz 😉 sorry just had to throw that out there lol

      • Thanks Jared, I love to be corrected when I am wrong. However, the name Maher-Shalal-Chash-Baz in Hebrew is actually four words that say (mean) “swift (is) booty, speedy (is) prey”. Sometimes they are printed like this: Maher Shalal Chash Baz. If you have The Strongest NASB Exhaustive Concordance the names are listed at number 4122. Check it out you Berean. God bless.

    • Hey now let’s be nice and full of grace.

      Brotherly love extends to honest operandi using Berean methology. I identify myself actually with this deductive approach.

      I use KJV – Strong’s non-exhaustive searches closer to the original manuscripts intent. I am very uncomfortable when especially Revelation is altered.

      I find the modern versions can alter by deletion of many verses or changes to text not squaring with the long held and much renown Strong. Great theologian who spent his lifelong in spiritual contemplation and prolific works.

      So my Blueletter search of KJV – Strongs nets:

      “mahershalalhashbaz”
      occurs 2 times in 2 verses in the KJV
      Page 1 / 1 exact matches (Isa 8:1 – Isa 8:3)

      Isa 8:1 Moreover the LORD 3068 said 559 unto me, Take 3947 thee a great 1419 roll 1549, and write 3789 in it with a man’s 582 pen 2747 concerning Mahershalalhashbaz 4122.

      Isa 8:3 And I went 7126 unto the prophetess 5031; and she conceived 2029, and bare 3205 a son 1121. Then said 559 the LORD 3068 to me, Call 7121 his name 8034 Mahershalalhashbaz 4122.

      Hope the cut and paste link works on this post.

      http:// http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?
      Criteria=%22mahershalalhashbaz%22&t=KJV

      Our minister uses NASV and as I read along I find great variances with my KJV Study Bible that uses original manuscript notes that indicate for instance RSV Hebrew and Greek variances.

      Not to say that KJV translation varies not that the KJV does go off course from manuscripts.

      For example the word use of Easter rather than Passover which most modern versions do catch correctly.

      Our minister is a man that one can truly say walks with Jesus as a fine role model for Holy Spirit lead devotion.

      No snarks here. Grace of the fine blog post taken at its original instruction.

      Thanks be to the person who leads this Blog.

      God is great!

      • Thanks to both brothers!

        I learned something new today. A blessing I have when I open this site up as my homepage.

        http:// http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
        Strongs=H4122&t=KJV

        transliteration:

        Maher Shalal Chash Baz

        root words(etymology)

        From מַהֵר (H4118) and שָׁלָל (H7998) and חוּשׁ (H2363) and בַּז (H957)

        = Maher-shalal-hash-baz “swift is booty, speedy is prey”

        1) symbolic name given by Isaiah by the Lord’s direction to Isaiah’s son; prophetic indication that Damascus and Samaria were soon to be plundered by the king of Assyria

        Who am I to argue with God’s prophesy?

        No one.

        Love this merciful blog.

  3. Bretheren,

    I love to wake up every mornig because I know that our Father, the Almighty God, the GREAT I AM’s mercies are new to us.
    I love to think about His unmerrited favor that is his GRACE towards us. That through Jesus Christ, the wonderful son of God, has paid the price for my sins and I can boldly come before the Almighty’s throne of grace who loves me and gave his only begotten son for me.

    I love Jesus, my bridegroom, who was willing to pay for our sins when our Father asked him to pay the penalty of all sins in the garden. Jesus has such a beautiful heart. He said, “yes, not my will Father but Yours be done”.

    Jesus’ love for our Father was so great that he was willing to do that for us. Don’t you just love Him!

    Oh Father, Yahweh, thank you for your mercies and your grace! May we all fall in love with you more and more and fear to hurt you with sin! Thank you for Jesus and thank you for your forgiveness from the sin that separates us. Your mercy endures forever!

    God Bless you Loved Ones!
    Abob