Mercy

Summary Scripture:

Jude 1:1-2

1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

During a my time of fellowship, I was reading the Bible and I came across the second verse of 1 Timothy 1.

1 Timothy 1:1-2

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

Upon seeing this, I questioned the Lord and asked Him, “Why would Paul pray for mercy over Timothy’s life?” Don’t get me wrong. I am well aware that we see and experience mercy every day by the grace of God. However, my thoughts were along another vain. “Why would a holy son of God need mercy? If I am walking sinless before God, shouldn’t I somewhat be deserving of His goodness? Isn’t mercy for those who sin and need forgiveness and another chance with God? Yes, we receive mercy to even be alive, but isn’t death gain for the sons of God? Why then would Paul pray for mercy?” This question caused me to realize just how often mercy is prayed for in the scriptures. There must be a reason that the early church thought it necessary to receive mercy on a consistent basis. It was then that God took me on a tour of the scriptures.

Hebrews 9:1-5

1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

The mercy seat was the throne of God in the Tabernacle. It was positioned in the Holies of Holies and was off limits to everyone but the High Priest. Once a year, on the day of atonement, the high priest would enter the holies of holies with the blood of a sacrifice and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat. If this did not happen, the sins of the nation would not be covered that year. Hence, Israel would have lost their right to fellowship with God. Now, the mercy that the nation would receive is that God would continue to be their God, and they would continue to be His people.

After being reminded of this, the Lord said to me, “Mercy in the lives of the sons of God is the right to continue in Christ.” This mercy is for those who have not sinned against God or man in their walk of faith. It is the willingness of God for them to continue in Christ without presumption. Mercy is the right to continue in Christ! Upon hearing this, the Bible opened before me, and I was able to connect the dots in the scriptures. When God says the right to continue in Christ, He is referring to the right to the life, ministry, power, strength and the authority of Christ.

Hebrews 5:1-4

1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: `

2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

Even as the High Priest was ordained for ministry and for the sake of men, so are we ordained as sons of God. The responsibility of the High Priest was to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins, for himself, and for the people. If they had not offered a sacrifice, they would not have received the mercy they needed to continue with God. Likewise, we offer gifts and sacrifices. Consider how the scripture that follows.

Hebrews 5:5-7

5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

The offering that Christ and the sons offer up is not the blood of animals, rather, we offer prayer and supplications. If we offer prayer and supplication for ourselves and for the people, God will respond to our cry with mercy. The mercy He will grant us is the ability to accomplish whatever we need to do. Our body is the living sacrifice and our fasting and prayers are our supplications. In this case, Christ needed the strength to go into the crucifixion. After praying, God gave Him the strength He needed. He supplied Him with influence in the heart (grace) that He experienced within and it was reflected in His life. He was able to do the will of God because He was strengthened with the Spirit of Might.

The Lord proceeded to say to me, “I do not need you to work ministry; I can use anyone who is willing to do the works I would have done through you. The reason I desire you is for fellowship. Will you spend time with me? Will you seek me out? Will you get to know me? Why should I give you ministry? Why should I give you power? Why should I grant you the ability to walk in the Jesus’ ministry? Bear your soul before me and respectfully ask me to give you ministry, acknowledging that without Me, you can do nothing.”

This is so profound. It was at this point that I truly discerned the desire of the Father. He desires to love upon us and we upon Him. It is the knowledge of the love of God that abides in the heart that is the sign God has given you mercy. In other words, the knowledge of the love of God which resides in your heart is a sign to you that God still wants to fellowship with you. His desire to fellowship with you is the reason He has not taken the Holy Ghost back. It is the right He has given to you to continue in Christ. Jude taught us about those with whom God no longer wanted to fellowship. He no longer gave mercy and rejected them and left them reprobate.

Jude 1:19-21

19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Listen to the scriptures. Jude, having written a whole epistle reminding the saints that they can lose their salvation, then shows them how to ensure that they do not. He tells them that they should build up themselves in the Faith (be given to the word, and obedience) and pray in the Holy Ghost (tongues). It is then through fellowship that they will be kept in the love of God. If we do this, we are guaranteed the mercy of the Lord, that will carry us to eternal life. Thus, if we need strength to perform the works of Christ in our situations, circumstances and relationships, we simply need to approach the throne of Grace, that we may receive whatever we need.

Hebrews 4:15-16

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, [spiritual mercyseat] that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.