 |
|
| Volume 24 Number 8 August 2022 |
Page 8 |
|
|
| Volume 24 Number 8 August 2022 |
Page 8 |
Mark McWhorter
Everyone wants mercy for things they have done wrong. No one wants to be found guilty and to be punished. Mercy is not receiving what is deserved for wrongdoing.
Every person sins against God (Romans 3:10, 23; 1 John 1:8, 10). Sin is transgressing God’s law (1 John 3:4 KJV). Sin separates a person from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Every person who sins deserves eternal punishment in Hell. However, God has a plan of mercy. He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:26). Jesus’ death on the cross was given for every person (John 1:29). Every person must obey God to access the mercy.
Think about the amount of mercy required to cover the sins of every person who ever lived, lives now or may live in the future. A picture is given of God’s mercy in Psalm 36:5, “Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds” (NKJV). Not only does His mercy originate in Heaven, but it is as high and as far as the heavens. “Faithfulness” comes from a word that means “stability” or “firmness.” In other words, God’s is absolute, and there is no possibility that His mercy will fail. That stable mercy is as high as the clouds.
What a wonderful God we have. Though none of us deserve mercy, He is willing to give it. He is willing to give it to every person who has and will ever live – if he or she complies with the will of God (2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17).
Study your Bible. Learn about God’s mercy. Learn what is necessary for you to do to access that mercy (Mark 16:16). If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
I Come Broken
Derek Broome
Several years ago, I was introduced to a new rendition of the song “Just As I Am.” It was entitled “Just As I Am (I Come Broken).” Within the additional lyrics in this newer rendition, there are words with which I connect every time I hear them. “I come broken to be mended. I come wounded to be healed. I come desperate to be rescued. I come empty to be filled. I come guilty to be pardoned by the blood of Christ the Lamb and I’m welcomed with open arms. Praise God. Just as I am.”
Most people have felt broken at one time or another. This is especially true when a person honestly evaluates his life and sees what sin has done to his relationship with God. Thankfully, the Word of God tells us exactly where we can go and to Whom we can turn for help – for all of the pain and brokenness we sometimes feel because of things in this life and due to our sins.
Before the foundations of the world, and before sin and pain even entered the world, God had a plan to send His Son to redeem mankind (1 Peter 1:19-21). He knew that all men would sin and deserve death (separation forever from God, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Yet, God had a plan that offers salvation and eternal life to all who would obey (Romans 3:23; 6:23). We all have the opportunity to be cleansed of our sins (1 Peter 3:21) and to live a new life in Christ (Romans 6:4). We have that opportunity because of Christ, for Jesus is truly the only way to salvation and the only way for any of us to reach the Father (John 14:6).
We all need to come before God with the same attitude and desire that David had to be cleansed and to be made whole (Psalm 51). We need to humbly submit ourselves to God, knowing that He truly cares for us all (1 Peter 5:7). No matter the pain or burden we bear, we can be assured our God is always there. We need to remember that He loves us so much that He sent us His Son (John 3:16). Because of the love of Christ, Jesus died on the cross for the sins of mankind and rose up from the grave, giving us an opportunity to rise up in Him (Romans 5:8; 6:4). If we ever feel broken because of the things in this life or because of sin, let us always remember to turn to God.