Topical Bible: Glorifying God: Mercy and Truth

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Introduction

The concept of glorifying God is central to Christian theology and practice, encompassing the acknowledgment and proclamation of God's supreme worth and majesty. Within this framework, the attributes of mercy and truth hold significant importance. These divine characteristics are not only foundational to God's nature but also serve as guiding principles for believers in their relationship with Him and with others.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible frequently pairs mercy and truth, illustrating their harmonious relationship in God's dealings with humanity. In Psalm 85:10 , it is written, "Loving devotion and truth have joined together; righteousness and peace have kissed." This verse poetically captures the unity of mercy (loving devotion) and truth, suggesting that they are inseparable in the divine economy.

Mercy

Mercy, as an attribute of God, is His compassionate treatment of those in distress, particularly in the context of sin and its consequences. It is God's willingness to forgive and to withhold the punishment that is justly deserved. In Ephesians 2:4-5 , the Apostle Paul writes, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved." Here, mercy is depicted as a driving force behind salvation, underscoring its role in God's redemptive plan.

Truth

Truth, in the biblical sense, refers to the absolute and unchanging nature of God's word and character. It is the standard by which all things are measured and the foundation upon which faith is built. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6), affirming that truth is personified in Him. The truth of God is not merely factual correctness but encompasses faithfulness, reliability, and integrity.

The Interplay of Mercy and Truth

The interplay between mercy and truth is a recurring theme in Scripture, demonstrating how these attributes work together to accomplish God's purposes. Proverbs 16:6 states, "By loving devotion and truth, wickedness is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD a man turns aside from evil." This verse highlights the redemptive power of mercy and truth, suggesting that they are instrumental in leading individuals to repentance and transformation.

In the life of Jesus, the perfect embodiment of both mercy and truth is evident. John 1:14 declares, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Jesus' ministry was marked by acts of mercy—healing the sick, forgiving sinners, and offering hope to the marginalized—while simultaneously upholding the truth of God's word and calling people to righteousness.

Application for Believers

For believers, glorifying God through mercy and truth involves emulating these divine attributes in their own lives. Micah 6:8 provides a succinct directive: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" This call to action emphasizes the importance of living out mercy and truth in daily interactions, reflecting God's character to the world.

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers in Ephesians 4:15 to "speak the truth in love," indicating that truth must be communicated with a spirit of mercy and compassion. This balance ensures that the truth is not wielded as a weapon but as a means of edification and reconciliation.

Conclusion

The attributes of mercy and truth are integral to the Christian understanding of glorifying God. They reveal the depth of God's love and faithfulness and provide a model for believers to follow in their pursuit of holiness and service to others. Through the harmonious expression of mercy and truth, the glory of God is made manifest in the world.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 115:1
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for your mercy, and for your truth's sake.
Nave's Topical Index

Romans 15:9
And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

God's Glory the Chief End of Man's Being
... God's glorifying is creative,"ours only declarative ... is created for, to be a witness
of God's glory, and ... it in the ways of power and justice and mercy and truth ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture i gods glory the.htm

The Word of the Truth of the Gospel
... God our Saviour toward man;" "according to his mercy he saved ... work is to reveal the
Christ of God to your ... you he is honoring his own word and glorifying Christ ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter vii the word of.htm

Man's Chief End
... [1] It is glorifying God when we aim purely at his glory. ... John 3:33. He that believes
flies to God's mercy and truth, as to an altar of refuge; he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 mans chief end.htm

Salvation by Faith
... be sought by glorifying him as God, by giving him thanks for all things, and by
a careful practice of moral virtue, of justice, mercy, and truth, toward their ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 1 salvation by faith.htm

"Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ. " These Words Belong ...
... are many who, under the pretence of glorifying the advent ... the Psalms again we find,
[4829] "Thy mercy is better ... after Him who is the image of God; whence God ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/3 grace and truth came.htm

God Showed Himself, by the Fall of Man, as Patient, Benign ...
... and that he might always continue glorifying God, and giving ... off from immortality,
then obtained mercy, receiving through the Son of God that adoption ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xx god showed himself by.htm

God's Gentle Power
... Do you hear the voice of mercy, and do you reject it, or will you accept ... anything
holy in it, anything noble in it, anything that will be glorifying to God? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/gods gentle power.htm

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Foreshadowed in the Ritual ...
... Observe that the blood was sprinkled but once upon the mercy-seat and ... the Divine
side of Christ's cross-work, the satisfying and glorifying of God, so this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/5 the fact of the.htm

Adoption
... of the deed]; the end of obedience is glorifying God. ... God's truth, which is the
brightest pearl in his crown ... Use four: Extol and magnify God's mercy, who has ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 adoption.htm

The Well-Beloved's vineyard.
... any man is better situated for glorifying God than I ... experience all goes to strengthen
our confidence in God. Every mercy asks, "Will you not trust Him?" Every ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the well-beloveds vineyard.htm