Tuesday, June 26, 2018

How You View God's Mercy

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2



How you view God's mercy is a major factor in what he is allowed to do in your life.

Is that not the gist of what Paul is saying in this text?

If you view mercy as something you deserve, you will probably not be able to receive it. If you think you deserve it you don't understand what mercy really is nor do you understand you spiritual need.

If you view mercy as something you have to earn you will not be able to receive it. Mercy must be given and received within the context of a relationship. Relationships are built they aren't earned.

If you view mercy as something you desperately need then you will be likely to ask God for mercy. When you cry out to God for mercy you will move Him to have mercy on you.

When you view mercy as something God provided for you in the past through the atoning death of Jesus and by His resurrection you are on the right track! You will view His mercy as something you need and want.

You will want to offer your body to God to be a living sacrifice and He will transform you by the renewing of your mind!

When you view mercy as something you have available to you in the present - right now as you read this article - you might want to pause and thank Him for His mercy!

When you view mercy as something you will always have in Christ then you can live in humble assurance and hope!

So, how you view God's mercy is a game-changer (or should I say a life-changer?) Allow me to bring more mercies into your view!

"But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."  Romans 3:21-26