Who Is God?: The Merciful One

This is a continuation of a series on the attributes of God.

When we speak of God’s attributes, we are talking about those characteristics that help us to understand who He truly is. One of these attributes is “mercy.”

Where it is in the Bible

“Return, O Lord, deliver! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake!”
(Psalm 6:4)

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
(Hebrews 4:16)

“And that he might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?”
(Romans 9:23-24)

“God, who is rich in mercy.
(Ephesians 2:4)

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
(Titus 3:5)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a loving hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
(1 Peter 1:3)

What it means

Mercy is when that which is deserved is withheld to the benefit of the receive. 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. But thankfully, God has been so amazing in His mercy.

Why it matters

Over 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.