Mercy = Access to God

This morning’s passage of scripture to study as relates to “mercy” is in Hebrews and I must say took a minute to resonate with me. I was focused on the “mercy seat” referenced and not the passage and it’s significance.

“⁵Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.” — Hebrews 9:5 (ESV)

My focus on the “mercy seat” and the time it took for me to understand was warranted and well worth it in that I did just that, understand. Again, there is more to it all than just the verse itself. I have to remember that just selecting a verse and looking to apply it is not the intention of God’s Word. Those singular verses can and are often misapplied.

The writer of Hebrews here is describing the Tabernacle and the significance of it and the rooms contained. It is not until I read the entire passage and understand that I see that access to God was provided thanks to His mercy. In the Old Testament, the Tabernacle was divided into multiple “rooms” and those rooms were restricted to those who were counted as worthy, priests and high priests. The people were not “allowed” to enter and therefor did not have direct access to God. The mercy seat, is more aptly understood to be the dwelling place of God and by it proximity in the tabernacle, was not available to the people.

“⁸By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing” – Hebrews 9:8 (ESV)

God then demonstrated His mercy. Jesus came and was sacrificed on the cross for our sins. He was presented by God as the sacrifice, taking the place of the people, me included, so I did not have to experience the agony and death attributed to sin. And thanks to God’s mercy through the death of Jesus, the people have direct access to Him.

“⁴⁴It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, ⁴⁵while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’ And having said this he breathed his last.” — Luke 23:44-46 (ESV)

God’s mercy provided access to His dwelling place. Now you and I have the chance to come directly to Him at any and all times. Where as the mercy seat or dwelling place of God was restricted before, thanks to His mercy, there is now unrestricted access to Him. There is no longer a wall between He and I. I do not have to wait for the time of atonement. I can engage with God now and forever by simply calling on Him. His mercy equals access to Him.

What was/is your thoughts on access to God? Did you believe it was something that you had to earn, and that somehow He was too great for you? What if you just embrace the idea that before Jesus, there was restricted access to Him and thanks to His mercy, we are now have the unrestricted access to Him forever?

Ministry Thanks to Mercy

This morning I was brought to Paul’s 2^nd letter to the Corinthians. In the 4^th chapter, he writes of “The Light of the Gospel”, Jesus. I am studying the word “mercy” and verse one is where I find the word.

“¹Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.” — 2 Corinthians 4:1 (ESV)

I will admit, that when reading this verse, I was a little unsure of what to think. Yet, I read on and that is where I find the depth of where Paul began.

Paul tells that we are to just keep on keeping on doing the work of the LORD. I am to spread the gospel and know that God will do the work to open the eyes of those to receive it. In this world, there are plenty who scheme to hide the truth. The thing is that the light of Jesus Christ will always win out. When there is a dark room, the light from a single candle exposes that which is in the room and so it is with the light of Christ. Those who hide the truth are counting on the darkness and Jesus’ light exposes the truth.

In the keeping on with the work of the LORD, I am spreading the light of Christ into the world. I am not concerned with myself and what will become of me as that has already been promised. I just keep spreading the gospel and allowing the light of Christ to shine in all the places of darkness. His light will win out and provide the same promise that was provided to me.

“⁴In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” — 2 Corinthians 4:4-5 (ESV)

Now that I know my work is to just keep on keeping on, I know that my impact/ministry is reliant on God. All that I am doing is for Him to manifest results, not me. It is through His mercy that my impact/ministry’s results are realized. I am only here to do the work and give all glory to God in the process. I have to remember that without the mercy of God and the light of Christ, I am simply contributing to the darkness around me. I carry the light of Christ and through His mercy I am making an impact.

“⁶For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV)

What contributes to your impact/ministry? Are you relying on your own work and hoping for to be rewarded with the result? What if you took the approach that your impact/ministry was thanks to and reliant on the work of God and His mercy, you simply carry the light and spread the gospel and allow Him to manifest the results since your reward has already been promised?

Mercy is a Gift/Talent

God has graced us all with gifts and talents that are to be used to His glory. Some of these are known and are very visible to the outside world. Teaching, speaking, praying, singing, athletic ability are some of those that when mentioned I know that I can see them in my minds eye in people that I know. These gifts and talents are used by the individual, not for their own selfish gain, but to bring glory to God. Teaching to bring knowledge and growth to others that they may not have received based on their current station in life. Singing to bring joy to the life of another that finds themselves in a difficult spot. Displaying athletic ability and yet remaining humble and reverent as an outward demonstration of God’s glory and not self-aggrandizement.

There are other gifts and talents that are not so visible to others.

“⁶Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ⁷if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” — Romans 12:6-8 (ESV)

Serving others, exhorting the LORD, leading others, and providing mercy. I do not see these gifts on the regular, although that does not mean they are not happening. In fact, these gifts and talents are sometimes seen as weak and inconsequential, until someone needs them. Service for instance is one that is great in the eyes of God, yet those who serve are often taken advantage of and expected to do more without reward. Leading others using the love of Christ is viewed as weak and soft in the eyes of some and those who lead this way are often overlooked those who are more demonstrative. Mercy is one that we are all to provide as instructed by Jesus, yet those who provide mercy in the world are often considered lacking toughness.

All gifts and talents given by God are useful and necessary to bring glory to Him. Where we are all to take these actions to bring glory to God, some are gifted in those area and I have to remember to be on the look out for them and celebrate those gifts and talent with those who are displaying them.

I read somewhere once before and believe if wholeheartedly, “if you see something you like, recognize it and you will see more of it”. I have to remember that with the gifts and talents provided by God. I have to see more of those gifts and talents that are provided by God and recognize them as being great. When I do, those displaying the gifts and talents will be more inclined to do more of the same with confidence knowing that they are indeed doing the work of God using that which He provided them.

What gifts and talents do you have? Are you seeing gifts and talents in others? What if you were to see the gifts and talents of others and recognize them to lift up those demonstrating them, no matter how insignificant they may seem?

We Don’t Earn Mercy

God provides mercy, it is not earned. I know it is challenging to understand all that God provides in His Word. As when we read the Beatitudes, Jesus even says to get mercy we have to give mercy.

“⁷Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” — Matthew 5:7 (ESV)

Well, that may be said, but here is what I understand after reading and studying more of God’s Word and not just picking and choosing the passages that suit me. I cannot earn the mercy of God. Mercy is something that I am compelled to give thank to the salvation provided by God. There is not something that I must do.

“¹⁵For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ ¹⁶So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” — Romans 9:15-16 (ESV)

I read the words of Paul and at first glance may think that he is contradicting Jesus. He is saying that God has already decided to provide mercy to those He does. Jesus is saying that those that provide mercy will receive mercy. Well, here is what I believe to be. Paul’s words go hand in hand with Jesus’. You see, God has and will decide who receives mercy, and it is those who provide mercy at the compelling of being a child of God. It is not something that is earned rather something that is part of who we have become.

Those in the world are fully in the world and do things in that world for the world. Where there may be a lot of good that comes from their doing, it is in the world and the impact may be short sighted and self-aggrandizement. When we are doing things for the sake of God, it is for His glory and not our own. The good is for God and He will then take the good and multiply it even more, as we may have only been there to get things started and then move on to the next opportunity to give to others.

I am here to spread the gospel of Jesus to the world one action at a time and through the mercy, love, and compassion of Him who has tasked me to do so. I am not looking for mercy, I am giving it. In return for my giving, I am given even more than I have realized to this point. I do not earn mercy as it has already been given. I simply have the chance to see that which is provided me by God as He has said He would.

What good are you doing in the work as pertains to providing mercy to others? Are you looking for something in return? What if you looked at mercy as not something earned, but something given, by you to others and to you by God?

Mercy is Greater

Money and monetary gifts are important as they allow the acquisition of other things. In the gift giving seasons, we make it a habit to give expensive items to “show” how much we care for the other. Where it is good and right to “show” that we care for others and provide for their monetary needs, it is their other needs that should be of more concern for us.

“²³Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. ²⁴You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!” — Matthew 23:23-24 (ESV)

Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees here and giving them a basic scolding on the lack of actions that they take while telling others they should be more mindful to do the right things. Jesus is explaining to them that they are the proverbial “do as I say” people. In the above verses, Jesus exclaims the woe in their actions of giving some “monetary” gifts (as spices where used as currency in this time) and yet they were neglecting the more thoughtful and useful gifts of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

It is easy to simply “cut a check” for something and difficult to provide something more. I look at those who do charity work and those who are credited with charity work. Those donors are celebrated for providing for the charity work to be done, yet when the work really needs to be done, they are off jet setting around the world and are not bothered with getting their hands dirty. Those who do the work are struggling to get by financially, but are living the high life thanks to their giving of themselves and the fulfillment that comes with it.

Now I am not saying that the giving monetarily is not needed, as I noted above, this is how the purchase of goods and services come about. But as Jesus says, “the weightier matters of the law; justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” It is the giving of these gifts to support the whole of the others that is more important than the monetary.

Mercy is better than money. Justice is better than money. Faithfulness is better than money. Each of these provide more to the individual than money and they demonstrate more thoughtful and sincere giving than just cutting the check. I have to remember to give of myself and not just of my pocketbook. I have to provide for the other needs of the individual and not just the monetary needs.

What gifts have you given simply because they were easy? Are you neglecting the other needs of the individuals? What if you gave the easy and then provided for the more difficult “weightier matters” in the individual’s lives, “justice and mercy and faithfulness”?

Mercy is God’s Not Man’s

It is more important to follow the law if God as opposed to the law of man. Yes, I have a responsibility to do that which is right under the law and a large amount of the time following the law of man is going to align with the law of God. It is in those times where there is conflict between the two that I have to remember to follow the law of God and whatever consequences come from man as a result, I will endure for what was done was right under the law of God which is above the law of man. Mercy is God’s and falls under His law as opposed to man’s.

I am reading this morning in the book of Matthew and the passage titled in my bible “Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath”. In those days, the Sabbath was a sacred day and doing work was not permitted. The people were expected to sacrifice their physical well being by fasting on this day in observance of the LORD. Yet, the priests were somehow allowed carry on as usual. The priests were above (or rather the exception to) the law of man.

When Jesus came, all changed for man. Now Jesus represented the law and it was not the following of the law of man that mattered, but following the law of God. No longer was the Sabbath a day of sacrifice, it was a day of observance and glory to the God. Following the law of God, meant doing the work of God, and in that work, there is mercy and service for those in need.

“¹At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. ²But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath’…’⁷And if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,” you would not have condemned the guiltless. ⁸For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.’” — Matthew 12:1-2 & 7-8 (ESV)

Now, the Sabbath is the day of observance and glory to God and I should be focused on Him during this time, however, I also have an obligation to serve and provide mercy to those in need. It is in that service that I am providing the glory to God and doing his will. I have to remember that all I do is for Him and not for me. By providing the mercy to others, I have opened the door for mercy to be given to me when I am in need.

I am bound to the law of God and less so the law of man. Where the two intersect, that is a great thing. I, however should not be looking fully to the intersection and focus my attention on the law of God and doing His will. Mercy is that place where God’s law stands above man’s law. Providing for others is fully in line with God and I have to be looking for those chances regardless of when or where they might lie in the relation to the world and man’s view.

What are you doing that aligns with God’s law? Are you more interested in doing that which is right in eyes of man? What if you were to provide for others by serving and giving out mercy to do the will of God and focusing on doing that which is right in the eyes of God as opposed to man?

To Whom to Delve Out Mercy

I was recently watching the news related to the 2024 election cycle and was impressed with the candidate who took time to engage and interact with those supporting the other party. He was there to understand and learn from them. What I learned here is that I have to step out away from those who are like me and into the environment where I can meet and interact with those who are in need of what the LORD has for them and work to fulfill the work He has for me.

“¹⁰And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. ¹¹And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’” — Matthew 9:10-11 (ESV)

Jesus regularly went to where the people were, regardless of who those people were. He traveled with His disciples, yet spent time with those who were not exactly of like mind. He was there for the people and not the other way around. Yes, there were those moments when Jesus met with and counseled His disciples to ensure that they were learning and preparing to take over when His time was done, but the bulk of His time was spent with those in need and not those of like mind.

“¹²But when he heard it, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³Go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’” — Matthew 9:12-13 (ESV)

Jesus taught me that those who are in need of mercy are those who are lost. Those who are like me are not regularly in need on mercy (although God provides it when needed) for they are the ones doing the work of God as they have received Him already. I have to remember to engage with those in need as Jesus says in verse 13 above, “For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners”. “Those who are well have not need of a physician, but those who are sick.” In order for me to bring mercy to those in need, I have to engage with those in need.

Now, as I mentioned above, Jesus did meet with and work with His disciples to counsel, teach, and prepare them for what lie ahead, but He was focused on spreading the Gospel to those in need. In my career as a training professional, it is important that I work with my peers to counsel, teach, and prepare them (as well as learn from them), yet I have to spend the bulk of my time working with those in need of my educational services. I have to bring them the growth and learning that will help them.

I have to remember to delve out mercy to those in need of it and that is going to be those who are a little (or even a lot) less like me. I have to step into those environments and bring what the LORD has for me to bring into them. I have to let them know that the LORD loves and has compassion for them and wants nothing but the best for them.

What about you, where are you spreading mercy? Are you finding yourself continually in the environments of those who are like you? What if you where to step out into the environments of those who are not like you to delve out mercy to those who may not be aware it is available and are in need of it?

Give Mercy, Receive Mercy

I am sure that the saying, “it is better to give than receive” is one that most if not all have heard. Christmas is known as the giving season. With that in mind, my study this morning makes wonderful sense to me.

“⁷Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” — Matthew 5:7 (ESV)

This morning I was brought again to “The Beatitudes” where I have studied a number of times. Specifically I was brought to the above as I am in a study of the word “mercy”. I see that in the verse, Jesus indicates that first we are to give mercy. In a society where blessing are celebrated through social media, Jesus tells me that the first step to receiving blessings is to give blessings to others.

Mercy does not seem much like a blessing to me. So I am to offer up the idea of not persecuting someone for what they have done to me or others? Well it seems as though it is a reward for bad behavior to give them a reprieve from the consequences of their actions. But that is not what Jesus is saying as I think about it. He is saying that I have to show them love and compassion, even in the midst of the bad actions they have embarked on.

“³⁴And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide his garments.” — Luke 23:34 (ESV)

Those that commit the acts are still accountable for their committing them. They are still liable for the consequences of their actions and deeds. My role is not to condemn them as I am not to pass judgment, I am to love them and show them the compassion and mercy that comes only from God. Once I have given mercy, I have completed my role in the ordeal and I will move on to the next as God designs for me.

But, what shall I receive in return? I or someone was wronged and I offered up forgiveness and love and compassion and simply overlooked the action that was committed. Yes, I have, and does not forget me. See that is the purpose of this “Beatitude”, I am blessed by the Father thanks to my obedience and love and compassion and mercy. I have loved and the Father loves me back. I have given and I shall receive.

The LORD does not leave me out there to give and give and give without the benefit of that giving. The thing is, what I receive may not be what I want. I will receive love and compassion in return. I have sinned and will continue to do so. I have been receiving the love and compassion from the LORD for my entire life and this was my chance to give. I will continue receiving from my Savior and I should continue giving as He does.

I am not saying that there is some sort of quid pro quo in the realm of mercy. What I am say is that in following Jesus, I will be blessed for doing as He does and providing mercy to others. I will be blessed with mercy as I provide mercy for others.

What are your thoughts as relate to giving of mercy? Are you willing to give love and compassion to those who have done wrong with no expectation of any thing in return? What if we approached mercy from the perspective of giving, knowing that what we give we will also receive?