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I was contacted by a man recently who simply said, “I am dying and I don’t think that God will save me.” I sensed that I was being toyed with and answered rather curty, “If you don’t think He can, He can’t.” Over the years I’ve seen many people who considered that they were beyond saving, that their sin was too big for God’s mercy to cover. Some wanted to serve the Lord, but thought it was necessary to clean themselves up first. Others have been taught that if they sinned or backslid, after they had been saved, they could never get back to where they once were. All lies of the devil. I thought of the thieves who were crucified with Jesus. According to Matthew 27:44, both of them hurled insults at Jesus. Luke 23:39-43 gives us the story of the one repentant thief who asked for mercy and received it. I wonder what caused this one thief to change his mind? I believe that it is quite possible that he had heard the preaching of Jesus and had seen His miracles. His reproof of the other thief shows that he was aware of God’s law and that they both deserved the punishment that was coming to them. Isn’t that the basis for Godly repentance? Knowing that we as sinners were guilty of death, but that Jesus took our place is the beginning of new life in Him. 1 Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever. The word mercy appears 261 times in the KJV. The phrase, His mercy endureth forever is repeated 35 times in the Old Testament. Why do you think it is repeated so often? Perhaps so we never forget that we are in need of God’s mercy daily? For those who feel that their sin is so big that God can’t or won’t forgive them. Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 43:25 I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Psalms 36:5 ¶ Thy mercy, O LORD, [is] in the heavens; [and] thy faithfulness [reacheth] unto the clouds. For those who feel that they have to perfect themselves by their own works of righteousness, we are reminded that our own righteousness is as filthy rags in the sight of God. Isaiah 64:6 ¶ But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. We are not saved by our own righteousness, but by the righteousness of Jesus. Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Romans 8:10 ¶ And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. When we, like father Abraham believe and confess our unworthiness to God and cry out for His mercy, the seed of God’s righteousness is implanted in our hearts. Galatians 3:6 ¶ Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. To say that God can’t or won’t save us shows unbelief and ignorance of His word. John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Mercy is a work of the Spirit of God. Having received God’s mercy, we are required to show mercy to others. James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? We will be judged according to the mercy that we have shown others. Matthew 5:7 Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. Our righteousness is not of ourselves. The only thing we could do to obtain it is to simply believe God’s word and respond in heartfelt repentance. He’ll do the rest of the work! Ephesians 2:4 ¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. MP3 Player Instant play for 30 or more hymns that we have recorded. Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Thoughts on the Lord's Prayer Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries
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