God's mercy and grace are for the undeserving

Believers, consider Hebrews 4:14–16:

“Since then we have a Great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Notice "receive mercy" and "find grace…?" We receive Mercy when we escape the punishment that we very much deserve and find Grace when we get the good things that we most certainly do not deserve. Our Lord God's mercy and His grace are for the undeserving who look to Him utterly for salvation, even salvation from sins. Also consider this very popular song:

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.

That's a direct quote from Lamentations 3:22-23. Have you ever wondered why the Lord's unceasing steadfast love and His unending mercies are new every morning? It is because everyday, we fail, and in many more ways than we can imagine. His mercies are new every morning not so that we should continue to wallow in sins that lead to death but so that we should live in triumph over sin and death: Romans 5:16-17:

"And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one Man, Jesus Christ."

Believer, when we sin or mess things up, Jesus Christ our Great High Priest is able to sympathise with our weaknesses and deliver us from them all. He knows our weaknesses. His strength is made perfect in weakness; our weakness. As was His Way with the woman that was caught in adultery and even Zacchaeus the thieving tax collector, He will never condemn you for your sins when you come to Him empty of yourself and devoid of all (self) righteous works that are done in order to get Him to bless. And His Grace is not so that we who believe should go on sinning sprees as many wrongly believe. He will save you from your sins, as it is written of Him in Matthew 1:21–

“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

The Law cannot help anyone live right or plead on anyone's behalf. It is holy, righteous, unbending. It does not understand “I'm good in other areas but this one” or “I stole because I was hungry.” There is no sympathy or compassion shown here; no consideration whatsoever for backstories. The law demands full obedience and absolute righteousness from those who are trying to get right with God by it; and when the people fail in just one tiny area, judgment follows. The law is not of faith. And without faith, it is impossible to please God. Only by grace through faith are we saved, even salvation from sins.

Jesus Christ our Great High Priest Himself is Grace - undeserved, unearned, unmerited favour. Titus 2:11 says of Him:

"God’s marvelous grace has manifested in person, bringing salvation for everyone."

Verse 14 of the same Titus 2 says: "He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds."

Jesus Christ is the Way of escape with every trial. His heart of compassion beats for us always. He knows how screwed up we can be and He helps us in our weaknesses. By His obedience, the sinner who acknowledges his sins and believes (utterly depends, relies, trusts) in Him is made righteous (Romans 5:19,) not so that we should continue to wallow in sins but so that we should get to live in triumph over sin and death (earthly ills are “death begun”):

“For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one Man, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17.

Right believing always produces right living

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