Applying God's Mercy and Compassion to Our Lives Biblically
Applying God's Mercy and Compassion to Our Lives Biblically
The concept of God's mercy and compassion is deeply rooted in biblical teachings. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, mercy is defined as "compassion for the miserable" [2]. The Bible emphasizes the importance of applying God's mercy and compassion to our lives, encouraging believers to reflect God's character in their interactions with others.
The biblical basis for this concept is found in various passages. For instance, Hebrews 4:16 exhorts believers to "draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need" [1]. This verse highlights the accessibility of God's mercy through Jesus Christ, our High Priest. The Psalms also frequently reference God's mercy, with Psalm 51:1 being a notable example: "Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions" [3].
In the view of Nonconformist/Puritan theologian Matthew Henry, the mercy of God is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life. Commenting on Psalm 119:17, Henry notes that believers owe their lives to God's mercy, and that God's bounty gives and sustains life [5]. Similarly, Baptist/Reformed theologian John Gill emphasizes the importance of seeking God's mercy and loving-kindness in prayer, citing Psalm 25:6 as an example [7].
The application of God's mercy and compassion is not limited to personal piety; it also involves treating others with kindness and empathy. As Matthew Henry comments on Colossians 3:12, believers are exhorted to "put on bowels of mercy" and demonstrate compassion towards others, just as God has shown mercy to them [6]. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various examples of how mercy should be shown, including to the poor, to those in distress, and to backsliders [4].
one commentary tradition on Hebrews 4:16 highlights the significance of approaching God's throne of grace with confidence, emphasizing that Jesus' mediation enables believers to receive mercy and grace in times of need [8]. This understanding is rooted in the biblical teaching that God's mercy is abundant and available through Christ.
Sources
- Hebrews “Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need. -- Hebrews 4:16”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mercy — Compassion for the miserable. Its object is misery. By the atoning sacrifice of Christ a way is open for the exercise of mercy towards the sons of men, in harmony with the demands of truth and righteousness (Gen. 19:19; Ex. 20:6; 34:6, 7; Ps. 85:10; 86:15, 16). In Christ mercy and truth meet together. Mercy is also a Christian grace (Matt. 5:7; 18:33-35).”
- Psalms “Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. -- Psalms 51:1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Mercy — After the example of God -- Lu 6:36. Enjoined -- 2Ki 6:21-23; Ho 12:6; Ro 12:20,21; Col 3:12. To be engraved on the heart -- Pr 3:3. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 37:26; Isa 57:1. Should be shown With cheerfulness. -- Ro 12:8. To our brethren. -- Zec 7:9. to those that are in distress. -- Lu 10:37. To the poor. -- Pr 14:31; Da 4:27. To backsliders. -- Lu 15:18-20; 2Co 2:6-8. To animals. -- Pr 12:10. Upholds the throne of kings -- Pr 20:28. Beneficial to those who exercise -- Pr 11:17. Blessedness of showing -- Pr 14:21; Mt 5:7. Hypocrites devoid of -- Mt 23:”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:17: We are here taught, 1. That we owe our lives to God's mercy. David prays, Deal bountifully with me, that I may live. It was God's bounty that gave us life, that gave us this life; and the same bounty that gave it continues it, and gives all the supports and comforts of it; if these be withheld, we die, or, which is equivalent, our lives are embittered and we become weary of them. If God deals in strict justice with us, we die, we perish, we all perish; if these forfeited lives be preserved and prolonged, it is because God deals bountifully with us, according to ”
- Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 3:12: The apostle proceeds to exhort to mutual love and compassion: Put on therefore bowels of mercy, Col 3:12. We must not only put off anger and wrath (as Col 3:8), but we must put on compassion and kindness; not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well; not only not do hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. I. The argument here used to enforce the exhortation is very affecting: Put on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved. Observe, 1. Those who are holy are the elect of God; and those who are the elect of God, and holy, are beloved - beloved of God, and”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 25:6: Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses,.... Not the providential mercy and kindness of God, in the care of him in his mother's womb, at the time of his birth, in his nurture and education, and in the preservation of him to the present time; but the special mercy, grace, and love of God in Christ: the sense of the petition is the same with that of Psa 106:4; which are expressed in the plural number, because of the largeness and abundance of it, and because of the various acts and instances of it; the Lord is rich and plenteous in mercy, abundant”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 4:16: come--rather as Greek, "approach," "draw near." boldly--Greek, "with confidence," or "freedom of speech" (Eph 6:19). the throne of grace--God's throne is become to us a throne of grace through the mediation of our High Priest at God's right hand (Heb 8:1; Heb 12:2). Pleading our High Priest Jesus' meritorious death, we shall always find God on a throne of grace. Contrast Job's complaint (Job 23:3-8) and Elihu's " IF," &c. (Job 33:23-28). obtain--rather, "receive." mercy--"Compassion," by its derivation (literally, fellow feeling from community”