Topical Encyclopedia The mercy of God is a profound and central theme throughout the Scriptures, reflecting His compassionate and gracious nature. God's mercy is not dispensed arbitrarily but is extended according to His sovereign will and divine purpose. This entry explores the manifestation of God's mercy to those whom He chooses, as revealed in the Bible.Divine Sovereignty in Mercy God's mercy is an expression of His sovereign will. In Exodus 33:19, God declares to Moses, "I will cause all My goodness to pass before you, and I will proclaim My name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." This statement underscores the truth that God's mercy is not earned or merited by human effort but is a gift bestowed according to His divine prerogative. Mercy to the Repentant While God's mercy is sovereign, Scripture also reveals that it is often extended to those who turn to Him in repentance. In the book of Jonah, the city of Nineveh serves as a powerful example. Despite their wickedness, the people of Nineveh repented at Jonah's preaching, and God relented from the disaster He had threatened. Jonah 3:10 states, "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them." Mercy to the Undeserving The mercy of God is also evident in His dealings with individuals who, by human standards, might seem undeserving. The Apostle Paul, formerly a persecutor of Christians, experienced God's mercy in a transformative way. In 1 Timothy 1:13-14, Paul writes, "Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." Mercy to the Chosen God's mercy is intricately linked to His election. Romans 9:15-16 echoes the words from Exodus, emphasizing that God's mercy is not dependent on human desire or effort: "For He says to Moses: 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' So then, it does not depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy." This passage highlights the mystery and majesty of God's sovereign choice in extending mercy. Mercy to the Faithful Throughout Scripture, God's mercy is also shown to those who are faithful to Him. In Psalm 103:17-18, it is written, "But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children—to those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts." Here, the psalmist affirms that God's mercy is enduring and is extended to those who live in reverence and obedience to Him. Mercy in the New Covenant In the New Testament, the mercy of God is supremely manifested in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through Christ, God's mercy is extended to all who believe, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries. Ephesians 2:4-5 declares, "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." This passage highlights the richness of God's mercy in the context of salvation. In summary, the mercy of God is a testament to His sovereign grace and love, extended to whom He wills, often in ways that surpass human understanding. Through repentance, faith, and divine election, God's mercy is made manifest, offering hope and redemption to a fallen world. Torrey's Topical Textbook Hosea 2:23And I will sow her to me in the earth; and I will have mercy on her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, You are my people; and they shall say, You are my God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Romans 9:15,18 Library Augustin Confesses that He had Formerly Been in Error Concerning ... The Man About whom the Apostle is Here Treating, do Far as He Is ... Koph. Against those who Fancy that in the Judgment of God all the ... The Goodness of Marcion's God Only Imperfectly Manifested; it ... The Exercise of Mercy Optional with God. "For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak Though the ... Of Predestination A Faithful Witness Immanuel Resources What is the definition of mercy? | GotQuestions.orgHow do God's mercy and justice work together in salvation? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4)? | GotQuestions.org Mercy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Mercy: After the Example of God Mercy: Beneficial to Those Who Exercise Mercy: Characteristic of Saints Mercy: Denunciations Against Those Devoid of Mercy: General Scriptures Concerning Mercy: should be Shown with Cheerfulness Mercy: should be Shown: To Animals Mercy: should be Shown: To Backsliders Mercy: should be Shown: To Our Brethren Mercy: should be Shown: To the Poor Mercy: should be Shown: To Those That are in Distress Mercy: The Israelites to the Man of Beth-El Mercy: The Prison Keeper, to Joseph Mercy: To be Engraved on the Heart Mercy: Upholds the Throne of Kings The Mercy of God is his Delight The Mercy of God is Part of his Character The Mercy of God: A Ground of Hope The Mercy of God: A Ground of Trust The Mercy of God: Epaphroditus The Mercy of God: Filling the Earth The Mercy of God: High As Heaven The Mercy of God: Manifested in Long-Suffering The Mercy of God: Manifested in Salvation The Mercy of God: Manifested in the Sending of Christ The Mercy of God: Manifested with Everlasting Kindness The Mercy of God: Manifested: To his People The Mercy of God: Manifested: To Repentant Sinners The Mercy of God: Manifested: To Returning Backsliders The Mercy of God: Manifested: To the Afflicted The Mercy of God: Manifested: To the Fatherless The Mercy of God: Manifested: To Them That Fear Him The Mercy of God: Manifested: To Whom he Will The Mercy of God: New Every Morning The Mercy of God: Over all his Works The Mercy of God: should be Magnified The Mercy of God: should be Pleaded in Prayer The Mercy of God: should be Rejoiced In The Mercy of God: should be Sought for Others The Mercy of God: should be Sought for Ourselves The Mercy of God: Typified: Mercy Seat Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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