Mercy Without Presumption

The same Lord who judges falsehood also opens a door of mercy where no man expects it. Samaria sat under famine, and the king’s house could not imagine relief; yet the word of the Lord overturned the market in a day. Israel played the harlot, and her children bore names of rejection; yet the Lord spoke again of a people once cast off being called His own. Paul had been a blasphemer and persecutor; yet he was not left in his former madness, but received mercy and was entrusted with service.

Therefore do not despise the Lord’s warnings, and do not mock His promises. Unbelief is not caution; it is pride against the word spoken by God. Hosea teaches that sin is not a small defect but covenant treachery. Paul teaches that sound doctrine is given not for disputes and vanity, but for “love out of a pure heart,” a good conscience, and sincere faith. Whoever receives mercy must not continue in the old filth. He must lay aside empty talk, make shipwreck of neither faith nor conscience, and walk as one reclaimed.

As Irenaeus says, “that in the place where it was said, This is not a people, there shall they be called the children of the living God.” And Paul’s own life stands as a public sign of patience, for “Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe in Him to life everlasting.”

Then let the church not presume, but repent; not despair, but obey. The Lord who restores also commands. His mercy is given so that we may become faithful.