Abundant Mercy in Christ
"God,
Who
is rich in mercy."
-EPHESIANS
2:4 [KJV]
Mercy
well suits a sensible sinner; and the riches of God's mercy
especially suit those who are brought down in real extremity of soul
to see and feel how abundant He must be in mercy, how overflowing in
the exceeding riches of His grace, that they may venture to entertain
a hope of an interest in it, as freely coming down to them in their
low and lost estate. We know mercy, feelingly and experimentally,
before we know love. Love is first in God, but it is not first in our
experience of it; nor do we go to God when made first to feel our
need of mercy, as if we were objects of His love, or could venture
to entertain the remotest idea that a God so holy could
love a sinner so vile; but we go to Him to obtain mercy, as the
Apostle speaks: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in
time of need" [HEBREWS
4:16]. Mercy is
the first thing sought for at the throne of grace; and when this
mercy is obtained, then grace is ever after continually sought for to
help the helpless and dependent soul in every time of need, which
need lasts all through life; and until grace is swallowed up in
glory. Was not the simple plea for mercy the publican's prayer in the
temple, "God be merciful to me a sinner?" And
such has been the prayer of all and every one, whose heart has been
touched by the finger of God.
-Gospel
report by preacher J.C. Philpot (1802-1869 A.D.)
February
28th, EARS FROM HARVESTED SHEAVES
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