Have you ever thought of the terrible sin Adam and Eve committed?
Our loving Father walked and talked with them every day, but they chose to listen to the serpent and eat the forbidden fruit.
They damaged the perfect world God created for them, and rejected His generous love.
He had every right to destroy mankind, but His mercy prevailed.
The Old Testament is the story of God preparing mankind for our redemption. In every book, God whispers clues of His plan, giving an unfolding revelation of Jesus, the coming Deliverer.
And the very first clue comes when God addresses the serpent after the Fall: "And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel." Genesis 3:15
Whispered within this verse is the promise that Satan and his demon offspring would be at odds with Eve and her offspring. But the most important offspring of woman, Jesus Christ, would crush Satan's head--a fatal wound.
While the taste of the forbidden fruit was still on Adam and Eve's lips, God was already whispering about His gracious way to save them.
Bible Study
We aren't saved because we are worthy. We are worthy because we are saved.
Titus 3:3-5: At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
2. Mercy doesn't replace judgment, but under certain conditions, it overrides judgment.
If mercy replaced judgment, all men would be saved.
John 3:36: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.
James 2:13: Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
3. Why is mercy an essential element of biblical wisdom?
James 3:17: The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
4. God's people should love mercy.
What does it mean to "love mercy"?
Micah 6:8: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
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Note: Mercy is not the same as Grace: "While the terms have similar meanings, grace and mercy are not the same. To summarize the difference: mercy is God not punishing us as our sins deserve, and grace is God blessing us despite the fact that we do not deserve it. Mercy is deliverance from judgment. Grace is extending kindness to the unworthy." Got Questions
copyright 2017, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com
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