The Bible: The Symbol Of Mercy In The Bible

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THE CROSS SYMBOL OF MERCY

1“Mercy is having compassion for others. God’s mercies are abundant (1Perte 1:3)

and fresh every morning (Lamentation 3:22-23). Paul described God as “the father of all

mercies” (2 Corinthians 1:3). Jesus commended the Samaritan who showed mercy for a

wounded traveler (Luke 10:36-37).” The mercy of God is reflected in the most powerful

way by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. It is revealed in man through the

power of the Holy Spirit. Robert Heidler writes in his book “Experiencing the Spirit.”

2 “Sometimes the Holy Spirit reveals Himself with a surprising kind of mercy. He chose

Saul of Tarsus a proud man, hardened and resistant to God. He waylaid Saul on his

mission to Damascus, …show more content…

The answer is, God’s justice and mercy are seemingly incompatible. After all,

justice involves the dispensing of deserved punishment for wrongdoing, and mercy is all

about pardon and compassion for an offender. However, these two attributes of God, do

in fact form a unity within His character.

The Bible contains many references to God’s mercy. Over 290 verses in the Old

Testament and 70 in the New Testament contain direct statements of the mercy of God

toward His people. God was merciful to the Ninevites who repented at the preaching of

Jonah, who described God as “a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and

abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity” (Jonah 4:2).

David said, “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. Slow to anger and great in

mercy. The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works” (Psalm

145:8–9). But the Bible also speaks of God’s justice and His wrath over sin. In fact,

God’s perfect justice is a defining characteristic: “There is no other God besides me, a

just God and a Savior” (Isaiah 45:21b,WEB). “He is the Rock, His works is perfect; for

all His ways are justice. A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright

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