Not Works, Mercy

“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)

God provided salvation out of mercy for me, not due to my works. First, I was saved young in life and at that point, was not out looking for salvation through my works. I was simply living life and was offered salvation and I accepted. So I did not really have the chance to accomplish a lot in the way of works to “earn” salvation. Second, as a sinner, I will never be able to “earn” salvation. I was, am, and always will be a sinner and that makes me not worthy of God’s grace, yet he gives me grace thanks to His mercy for me.

Lately I have been struggling with things not seeming to ever go right. I feel as though I am ignored and no matter the work that I perform, I am not even acknowledged for my existence. Oh, there is the cursory, “thank you” that comes out of politeness, yet there is no recognition that I have actually done something that others did not. In fact, there are those who are fully recognized and celebrated for simply doing what is expected of them and therefore I have gotten to the point of “why keep doing it”.

As I look into it all and work to understand, I have come to the conclusion that due to my continued doing more than what is expected, I have simply raised the bar for what is expected of me. My doing of the work, no matter how much I excel and take things to the next level, it is simply now the new expectation, FOR ME. And if I happen to miss one of those things that are clearly out of my scope, because I had been doing them before, I have somehow failed in the expectation.

“¹⁰And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, ¹¹though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls” – Romans 9:10-11 (ESV)

I know, this is a lot to read into, but let me wrap up my thoughts. I have to be comfortable knowing that I have done the work. I have to also know that no matter the work, God loves me and provides grace for me. He does not look at my works as the payment for my salvation. He looks at my works as the result of my salvation. I have to do the same. Others not recognizing my worth I have to put behind me. I have to remember that they are not the one I am glorifying, it is God, and He has called me, and provided me salvation and grace through His mercy.

What are you trying to “earn” through your works? Are you looking to your works as somehow the definer of your worth? What if you accepted that God does not look at your works as the payment for your salvation, but rather the result thanks to His mercy?

Into Light or Dark Via Works

I have a choice to either be in the light or in the dark. That choice is driven by my works in this world.

“¹⁹And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. ²⁰For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. ²¹But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” — John 3:19-21 (ESV)

These are the words of Jesus. He came into this world and into the darkness to expose the people to the light that He is. He gave the people the opportunity to come to something greater. He did not stay on the throne and ask the people to come to Him, He went to them where they were.

I like to use imagery to visualize what things will look like, so here goes. I have watched a number of movies where the lead character goes into a dark room or area exploring for whatever it was in the movie. As the character goes into the darkness, the light they are carrying exposes the hoards of beings congregating. As the light shines on the beings, they move, but not toward the light, away from it to avoid the light that exposes them for what they are and what they have done. In the darkness there may be a few that are not like the others and when the light is brought into the darkness they will move toward it to be rescued from the darkness and the beings found there.

Jesus came to be the light in the darkness and as He came those in the darkness either moved away to remain unexposed or they move toward Him to be rescued. I personally choose to be rescued. I have done some things that I am not proud of and it would be easier to move away from the light and stay in the darkness so that I and my actions are not exposed, but what does that get me but more works I am not proud of and I will perpetually remain in the dark. By coming into the light, I may have some challenges getting there, but thanks to Jesus, the reward of salvation and forgiveness and grace are far greater than the shame of remaining in the dark.

I have to allow my works to speak to who I am. I can choose the works to be “carried our in God”, or I can choose to remain in the dark and remain shameful for the works carried our there. I choose to be in the light and carrying out the works that God has for me to bring glory to Him and the gospel to the people.

Where are you spending your time? Are you in the dark, ashamed of the works you have done? What if you were to see and come to the light that is God and accepting the forgiveness for those works and continue forward doing the works of God in the light?

Praise for Her Continuous Works

My wife, Lori, is one the hardest working people I know. She took on the role of my wife and proceeded to ensure that I was taken care of. Then we were blessed with two boys thanks to the trust from God that we would steward them in this world, and she stepped up her role, amazing. Next, she has taken on more responsibility as a school teacher and has continued her works impacting the lives of even more children. And, let’s not forget that she is still my wife ensuring that I am taken care of. All of this, she does with only others in mind.

“¹⁰An excellent wife who can find?

She is far more precious than jewels.”

— Proverbs 31:10 (ESV)

Wives and mothers are truly more valuable than anything other than the LORD. I have good ones in both aspects as I started life with a mother who paved the way for Lori. My mother did all she could to steward me and my siblings in this world. And, she worked, what seemed like tirelessly to impact not just us, but others like us in her little corner of the world.

I am blessed to have these two women in my life and know that I would not be the person I am without them. My mother and Lori do the work for God in this world and they do so in full service of Him and those they come in contact with. They are to be praised.

“³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the gates.”

— Proverbs 31:31 (ESV)

It is not the one work that makes them who they are, although it can certainly start there. It is the continuous work for others selfishly that makes mothers and wives those to be praised. They are always looking to make the lives of those around them better and are to be praised for that continuous work.

What works make your mother or wife what they are today? Are they given the proper praise for all that they do? What if we lifted them in praise for the continuous works they do in making lives around them better?

Let the LORD’s Works be Known

“¹Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the peoples!

²Sing to him, sing praises to him;

tell of all his wondrous works!”

“⁵Remember the wondrous works that he has done,

his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,”

— Psalm 105:1-2 & 5 (ESV)

I wrote about the LORD’s works are to be blessed, and now for them to be known. The LORD does for each of us and those works are to be spread to all the people. I have to remember to let them known in any way possible.

I have to shout the on high, sing them as praise to Him aloud and at all times simply utter that which He has done. Notice my words in that it is not necessarily what He as done for me, but more what He has done for all. I have to be vocal to let all know of the wondrous things He has done.

“⁶O offspring of Abraham, his servant,

children of Jacob, his chosen ones!”

— Psalm 105:6 (ESV)

And I am not alone I am just one in the line of Abraham and should be doing my part. But, I also have to encourage others to do the same. All who are in this world should be telling of wondrous works and deeds of the LORD. All have the task of letting His deeds and works known as noted here in Psalm 105.

In telling of His wondrous works and deeds, we are spreading the gospel and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to hear, learn, and accept the salvation that is freely offered and given to any and everyone.

“¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

Jesus tells us to go and teach everyone. That starts with drawing the people to you by telling of the wondrous works and deeds of Him. Again I state, not just those works and deeds for me, but all the works and deeds of the LORD.

What is your approach to telling of the wondrous works and deeds of the LORD? Are you focused on only those that directly impact you and the life around you? What if you did as in the Psalm above and be vocal of all He has done and used that to follow the commission from Jesus to spread the gospel to all?

Works of the LORD to be Blessed

“²²Bless the LORD, all his works,

in all places of his dominion.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!”

— Psalm 103:22 (ESV)

All the works of the LORD are to be blessed. Not just a few of them that suit us and those that benefit me the individual, all of them. I believe it is too easy and we take pleasure in calling out those works that we identify as “good”. There are many that the LORD does that may be “good” for one and not good for everyone. And the “good” may not be known, as we are not able to see the entirety as God does. I may only be seeing a tragedy, when God is working under blessing. An example may be the one who is suffering through health decline and God calls that person home. We may only the death that occurred and do not know of the suffering that was fully relieved through the blessing of leaving this world and the pain experienced here.

“⁶The LORD works righteousness

and justice for all who are oppressed.”

— Psalm 103:6 (ESV)

The LORD provides for all of His people. All those who are under the pressure of the world. All those who are persecuted. All who fear the LORD. All who recognize Him as LORD. All who are in need of His grace and recognize it as so. I am one of those who need His grace and know that only He can and will provide it. I know that He will deliver me from that which there is no need for me to suffer with any longer. I have only to remember that it is His choice as to what relief is provided and not mine.

All works of the LORD are to be blessed by me. I have to recognize that all that goes in my life are determined by God for His glory and where I may suffer at times, it will never be more than I can bear and when the time is right, He will remove that suffering from me.

What are you experiencing in this world? Are you looking at that suffering as just that, suffering? What if you looked to the suffering as work done for the LORD and took on that they are a blessing and He will relieve you when He determines the time is right?

Received Mercy, Now Be The Example

This morning I was brought back to 1 Peter chapter 2 and the first passage where I have studied a number of times. I have notes in my bible attached to all verses with the exception of the verse on the receipt of mercy where my study is as of this morning. God is certainly great in all that He does and directing me in His Word is no exception.

“¹⁰Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” — 1 Peter 2:10 (ESV)

I know that I have been studying “mercy” for a few weeks now, it never gets old to read that God has given me mercy and putting to the fact that I do not deserve it. I was, am, and always will be a sinner. How can God love someone who does not reform from the one thing that separates me from Him? It is through His mercy and grace alone that it is possible.

To go along with the verse above declaring once again the mercy given by God, there are the verses that surround it declaring how we got here and what is expected of us going forward.

“⁹But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light…¹¹Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. ¹²Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” — 1 Peter 2:9 & 11-12 (ESV)

I am to be seen in the light of the example of the mercy that I have received. I am to turn from the flesh and turn to God and all that He has for me. I am to be above reproach so that when others see me they see something/someone different. Through my actions alone I am to bring the gospel to those around me. As noted in verse 12, the only thing that should be said against me is that I have done good. And if that is all anyone has to say, I will certainly take it.

I have been given mercy and Peter points out that I have to act like it. I have to take that mercy to heart and go forward as the example of what right looks like in the eyes of the LORD.

What actions are you displaying to those around you? Are you somehow ignoring the mercy and grace you have been given? What if you were to have received the mercy from the LORD and now serve as the example of Him in all that you do?

Mercy Leads to Promised Reward

“³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” — 1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)

And there you have it. God provided mercy for me and as a result I have a living hope, an inheritance that is imperishable, and a salvation to come.

I have to continue to living as the example that Jesus provided for me. I have to provide mercy for those around me. I have to grant them the same opportunity for a living hope, an inheritance that is imperishable, and a salvation to come.

I am here to give opportunity for others. I am sure that most have heard the saying that goes something like this, give a man a fish and you have fed him for the day, teach a man to fish and you have fed him for a lifetime. Now there are a lot of discussions as to the origin of this saying, yet it does not change the impact it has. It is about giving opportunity as I see it as well as other meanings, although that opportunity is how it applies here to my study. I have to provide the opportunity to gain something additional and sustaining. It is through mercy that I am able to accomplish that.

I am not responsible for how this opportunity is used. I am here to serve up the mercy so that the opportunity is presented for a future and the reward that comes with it. God will take over once I have provided the mercy and the opportunity. No, I am not done, it is just that God is the only one who can finish the work, I am here only to plant the seeds and continue to follow His direction in the work He has for me. Yes, in some cases that may be to stick it out with the individual, although I will not know that until I arrive in the moment and follow Him.

God has promised rewards for His people. Noah, and his escape from the flooding of the earth. The Israelite people freed from Pharaoh. In each of those and in my life, the reward came as a result of the mercy God provided allowing for the opportunity for that reward to be manifest later. I have to provide mercy to others to allow those opportunities in their lives.

What are you out there providing for people? Are you out there giving that which others want in the now? What if you gave them an opportunity for the future reward by giving them mercy?

Mercy Not Judgment

I have increasingly witnessed in this world a lean toward special privilege for certain people. Whether it is for the rich, the physically disadvantaged, or the socially constructed. There seems to be a leaning to giving preferential treatment to grant them certain things that others may not be granted. Is this not judgment or showing partiality? I believe it is just that, judging them based on a characteristic that others may not be privy and being partial to that characteristic.

James speaks to this judgment and partiality in the first passage found in chapter two of his letter. He make the case against by simply speaking to the idea of granting a seat in an assemble to one wearing “fine clothing” and asking the one in “shabby clothing” to stand against the wall. This is judging or showing partiality based on status and not treating everyone equally.

“¹³For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” — James 2:13 (ESV)

He then speaks to this judgment in relation to providing mercy. Here James makes the case for simply providing mercy to all and that provides the equality that is warranted in the situation.

I have to remember that it is not about forcing things to create equality. In fact, by forcing things, I am showing partiality to the one over the other in a reverse situation. By granting the seat to the one in “shabby clothing” over the one in “fine clothing” I am creating the judgment and partiality on the reverse basis. I have to conscious of simply providing the seat to the one who is there and directing the other to the wall to stand. I am to provide mercy regardless of who and only in regard to the circumstance.

Mercy: a fortunate circumstance. Merriam-Webster Online

The above is one of the defined meanings of mercy. The fortunate circumstance James was referring to is who arrived first to get the seat in the assembly. That is the person to receive the seat and not based on what or how they are dressed. Yes, there is certainly more to the definition of mercy, yet it seems to me that this one gets overlooked in favor of the others. I believe we should be holding to the full and complete definition and not simply picking and choosing.

James indicates that we are to lean on the side of mercy and leave the judgment to God. When I am doing so, equality is realized as we err on the side of the immediate situation and not something that was generated due to someone’s station in life.

When have you judged as opposed to providing mercy? Have you every looked at the situation and granted someone something based on who they were and not on the situation itself? What if you were to look at and provide equal treatment of all through mercy in all situations as opposed to judging the individual?

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?

Saved by Grace Thanks to God’s Mercy

Each morning I approach God’s Word with an open mind and heart for Him to lead me in what it is He would have me. I only have a plan on where I will start and that is I continue with a word study from the concordance of my ESV Bible. Right now I am studying the word “mercy” and go one or two verses at a time in the day. The only expectation I have is that I will be impacted in some way by the word as used and meant in the verse, or from the passage as a whole. I do not force the study on a particular topic. This morning is no different as move to Ephesians and Paul’s passage titled “By Grace Through Faith”.

“⁴But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,” — Ephesians 2:4 (ESV)

Above is the verse that started my study this morning. Simple enough. God is rich in mercy and love for us. But when I look only at the verse, I am still confused and need more. So, I read on, starting at the beginning of the passage and find why Paul installs this verse into his letter.

“¹And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ²in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— ³among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” — Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV)

Paul writes of the mercy and love of God to let know that we are in need of it. The Ephesians and we were enslaved by the evil one. We were following the destructive path. “But God” provided the way out through His mercy and love.

“⁵even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” — Ephesians 2:5-7 (ESV)

When I read past verse four I find that there is so much more thanks to God’s mercy. I have been not only given mercy and love, but I have also been given grace and salvation and the eternal reward of heavenly citizenship.

Putting it all together gives me the context of just what has been done for me and what my reward is. I was dead in sin, “But God” had mercy on me and loved me, regardless of my past. Thanks to that mercy, God offered me salvation through His grace free of charge and all I have to do is continue to have faith in Him.

I am truly blessed to have Christ with whom I can trust. He provides for me thanks to His immeasurable mercy, love, and grace. Thank you LORD!

What are you looking at to be saved? Are you working to somehow earn salvation? What if you just accepted that God’s mercy, love, and grace are enough and all you have to do is put your faith in Him?