Mercy is a concept referred to throughout the Bible, which is the central source of Christian teaching. From beginning to end, God’s mercy is the main theme of the Bible, as it is a part of God’s very nature. The Bible proclaims throughout the Old Testament and New Testament that God’s mercy is infinite. Therefore Christian believers have been called to reflect God’s mercy in their own lives.
The concept of mercy is defined as “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.” (Merriam-Webster, 2020). Therefore God’s mercy implies that although he is perfectly just and can perfectly punish those who sin, and he often still forgives them. This is something that distinguishes God from humankind, as humans rarely offer mercy out of personal power and choice.
God’s mercy is perhaps most powerfully illustrated in the story of the crucifixion. On Calvary Hill, Jesus died in the place of humanity, forgiving us of our sins and offering us a way to enter into a relationship of eternal life and forgiveness. This act of mercy on the part of God was not something that humans deserved and yet it was the only way for humans to receive the eternal life promised in the Bible. Therefore God’s mercy is seen and experienced through his willingness to forgive and offer grace to those who accept it.
Christians are called to both experience and reflect God’s mercy in their lives. In Matthew 5:7, Jesus said “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy”. The Bible emphasizes that it is our mercy that allows us to receive God’s mercy, which is why mercy is so important in the Christian life. Therefore in order to receive God’s mercy and eternal life, Christians must strive to reflect God’s mercy in their daily lives. This can be seen through acts of kindness, forgiveness, and compassion towards others, which will ultimately lead to an increase in mercy towards others.
Although mercy is seen throughout the Bible, there is also a flipside to mercy, which is justice. Justice is an important part of the Christian life and something that God expects us to uphold. Thus, although mercy should be extended to all, justice is something that should be maintained and upheld. As Christians we should seek to extend mercy to all, but also seek justice for those who have been wronged in order to ensure a more just and equitable world. Therefore, although it is important to show mercy, we should also strive for justice when necessary.
Mercy in the Old Testament
The Old Testament is an important source of Christian teaching that provides insight into God’s character and plan for humanity. In the Old Testament, God is portrayed as a patient and merciful God who is willing to forgive and extend mercy to his people. One example of this is the story of Moses and the Israelites, where Moses pleaded with God to spare their lives after they had sinned against him. Despite the transgressions of the Israelite nation, God still had mercy on them and ultimately chose not to punish them.
Another example of mercy in the Old Testament is found in the Book of Jonah. In this story, Jonah attempted to flee from God’s call to go to Nineveh and preach to the people there. However, God still had mercy on him and provided a way for him to fulfill his mission. Therefore, even when Jonah tried to flee from God’s mercy, God still had mercy on him and showed him a way out of his dire situation.
The above stories demonstrate that God’s mercy is something that is consistent and continuous throughout the entirety of the Bible. God’s mercy is something that is found in both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating that it is a part of God’s very nature. This consistency is something that Christians can turn to in difficult times, so that we can be assured that God’s mercy is something that is always there.
Mercy in the New Testament
God’s mercy is also present in the New Testament, where it is seen in the teachings of Jesus. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasized that it is the merciful who receive God’s mercy. This can be seen in Matthew 5:7, where Jesus said “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” This teaching is an important part of Jesus’ ministry and reminds Christians of the importance of showing mercy towards others in order to receive it from God.
The crucifixion of Jesus is perhaps the most powerful example of mercy in the New Testament. On the cross, Jesus took upon himself all of the sins of humanity and offered his life as a sacrifice to free humanity from sin. This act of mercy on the part of God is something that no person could ever deserve, yet it was still the only way for humanity to receive the eternal life promised in the Bible. This powerful act of mercy is something that serves as a reminder to Christians of the all-powerful and all-merciful nature of God.
The New Testament also includes many references to mercy being extended to those in authority. Jesus urged believers to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). This teaching has been interpreted to mean that even those in power should be shown mercy, as both rulers and subjects alike are children of God and all deserve to be treated with respect and kindness.
Mercy and Justice
Although the Bible emphasizes the importance of mercy, it also emphasizes the importance of justice. Justice is an integral part of the Christian doctrine and is necessary in order to maintain a just and fair world. The Bible encourages Christians to seek justice as much as they seek mercy, since justice is a reflection of God’s holiness and will. God desires for all of his people to show mercy and justice in their lives in order to uphold what is right and true.
In the Bible, justice is often illustrated in the covenant between God and the Israelites. God offered a covenant of love and mercy to the Israelites and asked that they obey his laws and uphold justice. Thus, even in the Old Testament, justice and mercy were both necessary for a thriving relationship with God. It is this same emphasis on justice and mercy that is still echoed in the New Testament.
The Bible is clear that justice must always be sought after when necessary. In order for us to have an equitable world, justice must take precedence over mercy at times. Mercy should not be used as a way to excuse wrongdoing or to ignore the plight of others. Instead, it should be used in a way that ensures that justice is ultimately served.
Mercy and Forgiveness
The Bible emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, which is closely tied to God’s mercy. In order to receive God’s mercy and eternal life, Christians must strive to forgive others and practice mercy to them. This is something that Jesus emphasized over and over again and is even one of the main principles of the Lord’s Prayer.
Forgiveness is an integral part of being a Christian, as it allows us to extend God’s mercy to others. The Bible states that we should forgive “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). This is a reference to the endless amount of mercy that God offers us, and it should be a reminder of how much mercy we should extend to others. In order to receive God’s mercy in our lives, we must strive to forgive and show mercy to others.
The Bible also emphasizes that in order to forgive others, we must first forgive ourselves. Self-forgiveness can be a difficult process, but it is something that all Christians must strive for in order to experience God’s mercy in their lives. The Bible encourages us to forgive our transgressions, and to turn away from our sins and seek forgiveness from those we have wronged. Forgiveness is one of the main ways in which Christians can experience God’s mercy, which is why it is so important in the Christian life.
Conclusion
Mercy is an essential part of the Christian life and is something that is seen throughout the Bible. God’s mercy is something that is always present and is something that Christians should strive to reflect in their own lives. Therefore it is important for Christians to seek justice as well as mercy, practice forgiveness, and show mercy to others in order to experience God’s mercy in their own lives.
