Reflection - April 23, 2012
Monday April 23, 2012
"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have
compassion." Romans 9:15
This statement startles us. The apostle Paul is quoting from the Old Testament
scriptures and emphasizing the freedom of God to dispense mercy or judgment as he
sees fit (Romans 9). I have been thinking about this verse lately while trying to better
understand this portion of God's Word. Here are a couple observations:
1) God is his own category. What I mean is that God thinks, speaks, decides, acts in
ways that we don't fully understand but always in ways that are completely consistent
with his divine nature. He is holy, righteous and good. All that he does is right. His
application of mercy and compassion is always right. His application of judgement is
always right. Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher
than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
2) God has mercy on us. The fact that God, being infinitely wise and holy, would
condemn and punish us in our sin is reasonable. "The wages of sin is death...", we are
told in Romans 6:23. God is just when he punishes sinners in their sin. What is
remarkable is that God loves us! He loves us, sinful, broken rebels who resist him at
every turn. The rest of Romans 6:23 is mind blowing, "...the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord." The fact that God would have mercy on even one sinner
is startling. The fact that he pours out saving mercy and grace on sinners from every
tribe, tongue and nation is awesome (Rev 5:9,10). The fact that God loves me and
showers mercy on this poor sinner...I cannot fully comprehend it.
Depth of mercy! Can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear,
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?
Charles Wesley
