Mercy Without Partiality

The Lord who led Israel through the waste howling wilderness is the same Lord whom Peter proclaimed in the temple courts. He is merciful to the poor who cry to Him, yet He is not moved by flattery, rank, or human power. Moses charged the judges not to respect persons. Peter refused the honor of the crowd and turned their eyes away from man to the God of their fathers. So the church must learn both things at once: to ask boldly for mercy, and to walk uprightly without favoritism or vainglory.

The lame man was healed at the hour of prayer, while he still begged alms at the gate. Thus God’s kindness does not excuse sloth in us; it summons us to repentance. The people marveled, but Peter pressed them harder: turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. David also cried daily for mercy, not as one excusing his sin, but as one lifting up his soul in obedience. To ask for mercy while keeping injustice in the hand is to mock the Judge whose eyes are clear.

As one ancient writer says, “that there is no acceptance of persons with God; Romans 2:11 since He commanded in Deuteronomy, that the person must not be accepted in judgment: You shall not accept, says He, the person, neither shall you judge according to the least nor according to the greatest. Deuteronomy 1:17” And again, “The God is merciful and gracious, and long-suffering, and of great commiseration, and true, and keeps justice and mercy for thousands, forgiving unrighteousness, and transgressions, and sins.” Therefore repent, pray at the appointed hour, give to the needy, and judge no one by wealth or appearance.