How is God’s mercy revealed to those who do not deserve it? (Mercy)
Mercy is one of the most compelling attributes of God, and one that lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It is the way God reveals His compassion to those who have no claim upon Him, the way He extends forgiveness and kindness to those who deserve judgment. In our ongoing series on the attributes of God, we now turn to the question of mercy—how God demonstrates it, how it unfolds in the story of redemption, and how it transforms those who receive it.
1. Mercy as the Foundation of God’s Covenant
The Old Testament reveals that God’s mercy undergirds His covenant with Israel. He rescues His people from slavery in Egypt, not because they were righteous, but because He chose to show compassion (Deuteronomy 7:7–8). Mercy is described as God’s steadfast love (ḥesed), His loyal commitment to a people who consistently fall short.
This covenantal mercy becomes the lens through which Israel understands its entire history. Despite rebellion and idolatry, God does not destroy His people but preserves them through judgment. Lamentations 3:22–23 famously declares, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” Here, mercy is not earned but given freely, sustaining a people who fail yet remain chosen.
2. Mercy as Forgiveness and Compassion
Mercy is most often experienced in forgiveness. When David confesses his sin with Bathsheba, he cries, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love” (Psalm 51:1). Forgiveness is framed as mercy because sin deserves judgment, but God chooses compassion.
Mercy also appears in God’s posture toward the weak and the broken. The Psalms celebrate Him as one who “raises up those who are bowed down” (Psalm 146:8). In this sense, mercy is not only about pardon but also about tender care for the afflicted. The prophets echo this theme, portraying God as a shepherd who gathers His lost sheep and binds up the injured (Ezekiel 34:11–16).
3. The Mercy of Jesus in the New Testament
In the New Testament, Jesus embodies divine mercy. He touches lepers, eats with tax collectors, and forgives sinners before they even ask. In Luke 7:13, He is moved with compassion at a widow’s grief, raising her son from the dead. Again and again, His miracles are not mere demonstrations of power but acts of mercy.
The cross is the ultimate revelation of mercy. Jesus intercedes for those who crucify Him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Similarly, Stephen, the first martyr, prays for his executioners (Acts 7:60). These prayers reveal mercy poured out on the undeserving, mirroring the mercy of God Himself.
4. Mercy as Abundant and Overflowing
God’s mercy is not stingy. Jesus describes it with imagery of generosity: “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over” (Luke 6:38). Paul reinforces this, writing that God is “rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4). Mercy exceeds what sinners deserve or expect.
This abundance is what allows believers to live with hope. When Peter denies Jesus three times, he expects only rejection. Instead, Jesus restores him and commissions him to shepherd the flock (John 21:15–19). Mercy not only forgives but reestablishes purpose, turning failures into vessels of grace.
5. Mercy Toward Miserable Sinners
Historically, Christian writers have described mercy as God’s compassion toward “miserable sinners.” The misery lies not only in guilt but also in the brokenness sin produces. Mercy is God stooping to lift the crushed, healing wounds, and undoing curses.
This truth becomes especially powerful when we consider the church’s calling. Believers are recipients of mercy, but they are also called to extend it. “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). In showing mercy to the poor, forgiving offenders, and interceding for enemies, the people of God mirror His character in a world marked by hardness and revenge.
6. Mercy, Judgment, and the Last Days
God’s mercy does not eliminate justice but stands alongside it. The Bible holds these truths together: mercy is offered now, but judgment will one day be final. Romans 9:15 records God’s declaration, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,” underscoring His sovereign freedom to extend compassion.
At the final judgment, the distinction between those who have received mercy and those who have rejected it will be revealed. Jude 21 encourages believers to “wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” In this way, mercy is both present reality and future hope. It assures believers that when the High and Holy Judge returns, they will stand not on their merits but on His merciful grace.
Conclusion
God’s mercy is His compassion revealed to those who least deserve it. From the covenant with Israel to the ministry of Jesus, from forgiveness of sin to daily kindness, mercy flows as the heartbeat of God’s dealings with humanity. It is lavish, overflowing, and abundant. It calls sinners to repentance, comforts the broken, and steadies the faithful with the promise that mercy will have the final word in Christ.
Bible Verses on God’s Mercy
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22–23)
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.” (Psalm 51:1)
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (Psalm 103:8)
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us.” (Ephesians 2:4)
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)
“Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13)
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
“Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.” (Psalm 25:6)
“But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” (Jude 21)
