LIVING SACRIFICES Devotion 8 of 24 " . . . by the MERCIES of God." – Tomorrow:
Other versions read, "in view of God's mercy" (NIV), and "by the compassions of God" (DARBY). Some versions refer to the "mercies of God" in the singular: i.e., "in view of God's mercy" (NIV). The plural form is, however, the correct one: "mercies." This word emphasizes the abundance of God's mercy, and is used several times in Scripture. Jacob confessed to God, "I am not worthy of the least of all the MERCIES, and of all the truth, which Thou hast showed unto Thy servant" (Gen 32:10). David declared "for His MERCIES are great" (2 Sam 24:14). Solomon prayed, "remember the MERCIES of David Thy servant" (2 Chron 6:42). Nehemiah spoke of God's "manifold MERCIES" (Neh 9:19), and the Lord's "abundant MERCIES" (Neh 9:27). There is also reference to the Lord's "tender MERCIES" (Psa 25:6), "the MERCIES of the Lord" (Psa 89:1), "great MERCIES" (Isa 54:7), and "sure v" (Isa 55:3). Our great God is also referred to as "the Father of MERCIES" (2 Cor 1:3).
"The mercies of God" refer to the plenitude of God's mercy as well as its frequent expression. His tender consideration and pity are neither sparse nor infrequent.
What Does This Mean?
What is the meaning of this expression? Is the exhortation given BECAUSE of the mercies of God, as though Paul said, "Because of God's mercies, I am pleading with you to . . . ?" Has the mercy of God prompted the Apostle to plead so strongly with the people? I do not doubt that the awareness of God's rich mercies constrained the Apostle to so write. However, that is not the meaning of this passage.
The meaning is that the exhortation is to be carried out THROUGH "the mercies of God." That is, what believers are asked to do, [i.e., present their bodies as a living sacrifice to God], is to be accomplished "in view of" God's MERCIES" (NIV). It is to be accomplished "THROUGH the compassions of God" (YLT). One version says to make the offering while "REMEMBERING the mercies of God" (NJB). Still, the expression seems a bit vague to some.
The "MERCIES of God" have been declared in the previous chapters. They have to do with His gracious intentions and activities toward us. They reveal His desire to bless us.
1. The saints are beloved of GOD (1:7a).
2. GOD called us to be saints (1:7b).
3. Grace and peace come to us from GOD the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (1:8).
4. GOD has provided the Gospel as the power to accomplish salvation (1:16).
5. GOD's righteousness has been revealed (1:17).
6. GOD revealed Himself in His creation (1:19).
7. GOD is rich in goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, which lead men to repentance (2:4).
8. There is no respect of persons with GOD (2:11).
9. In spite of man's total unworthiness, the righteousness of GOD has been revealed apart from Law (3:21).
10. The righteousness of GOD is given to all who believe (3:22).
11. Justification is free to those who have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD (3:24).
12. GOD set Christ forth, evidently and effectively, as a propitiation for sin (3:25).
13. GOD is the God of the Gentiles as well as the Jews (3:29).
14. GOD imputes righteousness without works (4:6).
15. GOD quickens the dead (4:17).
16. The love of GOD is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (5:5).
17. GOD commended His love to us in Christ's death for us while we were yet sinners (5:8).
18. GOD reconciled us to Himself through Christ's death (5:10).
19. The gift and grace of GOD has abounded to many (5:15).
20. In Christ GOD condemned sin in the flesh (8:3).
21. GOD provides for our needs through the interceding Holy Spirit (8:26-27).
22. GOD works everything together for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose (8:28).
23. GOD has determined that everyone in Christ will be glorified (8:29-30).
24. GOD has provided a constant Intercessor for us in heaven (8:34).
25. GOD shows mercy (9:16).
26. GOD makes vessels for honor (9:20).
27. GOD endured with much longsuffering vessels suited for destruction (9:22).
28. GOD has not cast away Israel (11:1-2).
29. GOD concluded all in unbelief and disobedience that He might have mercy on all (11:32).
All of these are evidences of Divine mercy. From His longsuffering toward Israel to the conferment of righteousness upon Gentiles who did not seek it, He has made Himself known. He has extended Himself to redeem humanity, sending His Son to do what Adam's offspring could not do. He empowers and sustains His people through the Holy Spirit. He provides for their protection and sustenance in the interceding Savior.
As we consider these great proclamations, we derive strength and encouragement from them. God has shown us He consistently honors faith. Those who are willing to trust Him WILL be helped by Him. That includes Abraham in a spiritually primitive day, and Paul responding to His call while in a nation that had rejected Christ Jesus.
There is no word in Scripture that would lead us to believe the Living God is not kindly disposed toward those who earnestly seek to do His will. Anywhere and everywhere men have chosen to seek the Lord and obey His will, God has undergirded their efforts. Wherever faith is found, Divine favor will be experienced. Further, hearts convinced that God is merciful will be disposed to trust Him. Those who consider that God "is good," and that "His mercy endures forever" (1 Chron16:34; Psa 136:1), will be encouraged and empowered to do His will. While they live within the influence of that dominant consideration, Divine exhortations make perfect sense. To fulfill them becomes the preference of those who have no doubt of the reality and accessibility of "the mercies of God."
Wrath and Beginnings
The wrath of God and the imminence of the day of judgment can also have a powerful constraining force upon the heart. However, they are not intended to be a permanent constraining factor. The soul cannot advance toward glory by being surrounded by "fiery indignation, which "shall devour the adversaries" (Heb 10:27). That often induces a beginning, but brings precious few, if any, souls into glory.
A Prevailing Consideration
At some point, the soul must be brought under the prevailing contemplation of the "mercies of God." It is only through them that we will be able to fulfill exhortations, such as the one we will now consider. If God is not good to us, we will not be able to make this presentation. If He does not pity our frail frame, we will not be able to make a "living sacrifice." If His favor is not upon us, and His grace does not sustain us, we will prove too weak for this challenge. It is "BY the mercies of God" that this will be accomplished, or it will not be accomplished at all!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus I thank You for revealing you are abundant in mercy.