Joel Hendon

God Is Known To Be Merciful…But Don’t Let That Destroy You


Posted: Saturday, July 02, 2011

by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html

We can rest assured that God is merciful, because the inspired writers tell us so. There is no question about it. But is he merciful in all cases and conditions? Absolutely not, and He has never meant for people to think so. As we study His word, we need to seriously consider what is said and determine if there are conditions attached to those favors extended by Him.

The apostle Paul, whose Hebrew name was Saul but later changed to Paul because God desired him to be missionary to the Gentiles. But before his conversion, he was an avid member of the Jewish Pharisees and truly thought the doctrine being taught and flourishing that Jesus was the Messiah was a false teaching and contrary to God’s word. He had been authorized by the Jewish Sanhedrin to travel about and arrest Christians, and in some cases, kill them. In the case of the stoning to death of the evangelist martyr Stephen, he was standing by and holding the coats for those doing the stoning.

He was working as diligently to stem the growth of that so called “heretic sect” as he became to be for it after his conversion. Here are some things he said about the mercy extended to him.

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:12-17 KJV)

This might sound as if God (Jesus) simply decided to have mercy on Paul. And he did, except Paul had to comply with the other rulles which had been given to the first Christians on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem, (Acts chapter 2)

Also you need to read the story of Paul's conversion as he traveled on the road to Damascus to arrest and persecute more Christians. Please read the entire chapter 22 of Acts also which will show you what was required of him before he received God's mercy.

This is perhaps the best example and explanation in the entire bible as to what is required for us to gain God's grace (mercy). God created man to live holy and without blame before him, in love. (Ephesians 1:4) God’s mercy is extended to those who do that! If one never does that sincerely, he will not receive God’s mercy.

To live holy and without blame before Him in love, means obedience, faith, good deeds, and on and on. That is what living without blame and in love. It excludes adultery, drunkenness, murder, stealing, and all manner of harmful abuse. We are supposed to teach others his doctrines, and live them.

And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. (Luke 1:50 KJV)

To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, (Luke 1:77-78 KJV)

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:36 KJV)

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. (Romans 9:15 KJV)

The crux of the matter is this: When man sins (misses the mark, fails to do the thing God intends for him to do) There is not one, single, solitary thing he can do which will, of itself, remove that sin. Nothing. That is why it took the sacrificial blood of a sinless man, Jesus Christ, to furnish us a way to be forgiven for our sin. So, when we do the things that he tells us to do, we have not earned forgiveness, because there is nothing we do that can earn it. But Jesus gave his innocent, sinless life so that WE could partake of his sinless blood and be forgiven…even though we did not earn it. That is grace. That is mercy. It is there for all to partake of, but it will not be forced upon anyone, they have to partake of it.
Author Biography: Joel Hendon was born near Gadsden Alabama. He attended public schools in Cherokee County, Alabama and after serving a tour of duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, attended Jacksonville State University, majoring in Business Administration. He became a Christian in 1948, and although he followed secular work as a career and retired from Allied Signal Aerospace, he is an avid student of the Holy Bible and related works as well as biblical history. He has an extensive website of conservative religious and political articles.http://hebronics.org/index.html

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