ATTRIBUTES—-
GRACIOUS & MERCIFUL
WHO IS GOD? GRACIOUS & MERCIFUL
What is it like to receive a gift you don’t deserve? Two common responses come to mind: a humble “No, I don’t deserve this . . .” or a prideful “No, I’m okay. I don’t need it.” We’ve probably seen both of these responses play out.
Interestingly, we can have a hard time receiving what we don’t deserve. Our pride is often the reason for this: When we have things our way, we like to earn what we receive because of our work or our goodness.
God’s way, on the other hand, is gracious and merciful. He gives what we cannot earn—His grace for our failings. At the same time, He has mercy on us by not giving us the punishment we do deserve. Paul, the writer of 1 Timothy, came to know this merciful God when he was humbled on the road to Damascus on his way to persecute God’s people (Acts 9:1-19). Paul chose to humbly receive what Jesus Christ offered him, and he poured out praise and thanksgiving for the grace and mercy God had displayed toward him (1 Timothy 1:16-17).
How do you view God? Would you, like Paul, describe Him as gracious and merciful to you? Does pride ever cloud your eyes and keep you from seeing the grace and mercy He has shown you?
WHO AM I? NOT BEYOND GOD’S GRACE & MERCY
Most of us have felt at one time or another that we are beyond God’s love. Our feelings are like swings going back and forth—sometimes we see ourselves as really good, and others we see ourselves as beyond hope. But God always sees us accurately. He confronts our true condition. He doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that we desperately need grace and mercy. He knows that we’re sinners—each of us could say, like Paul, that we’re “the worst of them all” (1 Timothy 1:15). But God does not leave us in that dark place without hope. Not one of us is beyond grace. Paul says that he was shown mercy by God so that “others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:16). Perhaps pride will tell you that you’re too good for God’s grace, or maybe that you’re too bad for it. God counters both of those lies. We are not too good for Him to humble us and offer the grace we need for forgiveness. And we are also not too bad for Him to reach us with His mercy, show us our need for Him, and receive His gift of eternal life.
WHAT DO I DO? ACCEPT ETERNAL LIFE
Pride tries to keep us from accepting God’s gift of eternal life. God makes clear that those who are broken and sense their need for Him will find Him. He will come near to the humble. Humility is the key to receiving His gift of grace. Why? Pride makes us want to do everything on our own. Pride says, I need no one. I need nothing. And if I do need something, I’ll get it myself. Pride makes us root our value, strength, goodness, and identity in our own works. And it blinds us. Humility, on the other hand, opens us up to the greatest gift ever given.
Imagine a king granting a poor, homeless man the keys to his palace, a place in his family, and a clean slate for his past. What would the homeless man’s best response be? Think about it. This is like what God offers to us all. Will we open our hands and receive His gift or close our minds to our need for it?