What is Mercy? Mercy is often taught, no… drilled into our psyches, that “God is not giving you what you deserve.”
Ever hear that? Ugh! It’s very popular in the more punitive view of the gospel. Yet it is another one of those statements we repeat without even questioning it. Traditions of man make the living, breathing logic of Abba of no effect.
Mercy, in both the Old and New Covenant is defined in the original languages as compassion. In the Hebrew it is Racham and is actually connected to a mother’s womb. Just think of the metaphor this envisions. Protection, safety, compassion of a mama along with
our total childlike dependency inside the womb. What a beautiful imagery of Mercy!! Being safely held inside the womb of God who is safe.
Mercy in the Hebrew description is described using words like goodness, kindness, compassion and affection. In Greek it’s also described as a a covenantal Love and loyalty.
The often repeated ”you don’t get what you deserve” is rooted in penal substitution, an atonement doctrine and theory, (one of several) that is not held by the Eastern Orthodox Church, who actually views PSA as a western heresy. But we teach it and preach it on Easter and it is engrained in our psyche that we are pond scum who in His mercy, God holds back what we actually deserve. When in truth He loves to protect us from our own demise.
I think it’s important to be curious about why we believe what we believe. To discuss these things openly and freely without fear of accusation. It’s ok to go deeper and do due diligence. It really matters, our view and understanding of the nature of Abba. Why?
Because how we view the God is what we will become. It becomes how we view others.
Because we know even if only subconsciously that we are made in the image and likeness of God.
What we behold we become.
True mercy is about beholding compassion, kindness and affection. It is not about a judge sitting on the throne who on a good day decides to give us a pass from punishment, when we really deserve to be smooshed.
The perishing that happens in our lives because of ignorance, blindness and even our own selfishness, He who is Agape, sees through the eyes of mercy. His desire is not motivated by a heart of retribution, but it is birthed from His womb of patience, tenderness and loving kindness. His affection is toward us, wanting us all to come to the knowledge of Truth.
Because this IS what Agape Love is!
After all it IS only His kindness that leads us into the Light of His FREEDOM!!