Amazing Mercy

Most of us know about “amazing grace.” We know that “grace” is defined as “unmerited favor.” Paul said if grace is on the basis of works, it’s not grace (Rom 11:6) … and that makes grace amazing—not earned; bestowed. We often miss the fact that mercy is equally amazing.

If grace is getting favor we don’t deserve, mercy is not getting justice we deserve. Justice is what makes all things right, equal, correct. When there is a violation of God, justice requires payment. Mercy is a restraining of justice. The two are in opposition. If God simply showed mercy to His creation, He could not be considered just, because mercy is the restraining of justice. That’s why Paul points to the blood of Christ as “propitiation” (Rom 3:25)—the appeasing of an angry God. God needed to be appeased (Rom 1:18). Justice demanded it. So Christ appeased the Father by His sacrifice of Himself. Of this, Paul says, “It was to show [God’s] righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom 3:26). Mercy, the restraint of justice, could only be displayed if justice was first met. That’s why we say “Jesus paid it all.” Jesus said, “This is My blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt 26:28). That’s why John the Baptist referred to Jesus as “the lamb of God that takes away sins” (John 1:29). This is why Isaiah said “He was pierced for our transgressions” (Isa 53:5-6).

We don’t receive mercy because we earned it. We don’t even receive mercy because we’re worth it. We receive “justice suspended” because we have redemption in Christ through His blood” (Eph 1:7). We have mercy because in His death on the cross, Jesus allowed God to be both just and justifier of those who believe (Rom 3:26). Grace really is amazing, but mercy is equally awesome. We don’t earn it. We don’t deserve it. It’s not mere favor. It’s a rescue from the justice we so richly deserve accomplished by the blood of Christ. God accomplished an astounding coup when He sent His Son to pay for our sins so that He wouldn’t have to punish us for our sins … and still remain a just God.