"...who, according to his great mercy..." 1 Pet 1:3
Mercy is defined as not getting something one deserves. Paul writes of guilt on the behalf of all persons when it comes to sin (Romans 3:23). He also points out the result of sin is death (6:23).
When Peter begins his letter to those who have been scattered due to oppression or persecution, he takes the time to mention God's great mercy. This phrase is often glanced over quickly or forgotten about before the reader looks to other phrases later in the text.
When faced with judgment or guilt, man's tendency is to look at the opportunity for pardon. In other words, we focus on a "new birth" to which Peter speaks. We'd rather reflect on the hope in Christ rather than the truth of sin. However, isn't it true that to appreciate a new birth or hope found in Christ, one must also spend time considering his own crimes against God prior to reflecting on God's great mercy? Often times, we focus on the pardon God provides so we won't have to deal with the reality of our own guilt. Might this attitude lead to what Bonhoeffer calls "Cheap Grace"?
Any thoughts?
“Bible reading as struggle”
23 hours ago
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6 comments:
yes, i did glide right over those words. that sentence went by like a swoosh and i was past the word mercy before i knew it.
i think that when one gets true peek at themselves as they are, that the need for mercy is reflected in the attitude.
Hlo Nancy!
Too often we "glide right over" those words.
Thanks for the input. BTW, I love the photos on your site. I trust I'll have more time to comment on your thoughts in the near future.
Crowm,
Yes, we need to remember our sin and God's just wrath. And we also need to remember that we are Eikons of God, called to a cultural mandate which is part of what salvation is meant to accomplish, with reference to our relationship to God, to ourselves, to each other (our neighbor), and to the earth (and creation).
Like you're pointing out here, it's important not to skip one part, but to consider it all. We do need mercy instead of judgment!
I saw something interesting on one of the national news channels recently. The commentator remarked that a study was conducted and it was found that "Active Christians" have the ability to weather the storms in their lives better than non christians. The person was discussing the current state of affairs and health issues. We as Christians fair better because of mercy. Many of the concerns we have or experience are taken away because we know that He promises forgiveness. He promises the only judgement will be his and that we have Christ as our intercessor. When we sin we are separated from God and we suffer, even physically, until we act, admit out sin and seek his forgiveness. The result is mercy, I think? Our God is so good to us!!
So says Mike
Ted,
Thanks for the input. We do serve a great God.
Blessings,
m
Anon/Mike,
Long time no see! Thanks for stopping by. You point our need for mercy well. We also need faith to deal with life that is thrown at us. Non-believers don't cope as well because of those things. I seem to remember the same story. Thanks for the reminder.
m
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