Dear Friends,
How often a word from the past makes us stop and consider the situation of the present days. Quite recently we were reading an article by the late Gardiner Spring of New York, and in the course of that article, he tells about being greatly struck by a sentence which he himself had recently read. The sentence was this; “When one great sinner find mercy, another great sinner is encouraged to hope that he may find mercy also.” Dr. Spring calls that, “A simple thought”, and then, goes on to say, “but there are states of mind in which it is unutterably precious.” He speaks about “the great mass” of convinced sinners who would sink in despair if they couldn't lay hold on such a thing – that God saves others, therefore, He may save me.“When one great sinner find mercy, another great sinner is encouraged to hope that he may find mercy also.”
Now, as we say, such a glimpse into the past must surely cause us to consider the present. What place does thought of sinners lying under self-condemnation for sin and hoping that they may find mercy from God as they hear of others finding mercy, have in our Christianity today? We must surely say, very little, if any at all. Seldom do we hear of prolonged works of conviction in the hearts and minds of men and women today, and the process seems to be, superficially wounded, superficially healed. One of the major causes, of course, is the setting aside of any necessity to see the sinner brought to a knowledge of the guilt of their sin. We say “guilt” very decidedly. The accepted “orthodox” approach in counselling sinners is to turn to a few well-worn passages, and ask the person concerned to answer yes, or no, as the case might be. The process usually begins with, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God”, and this is followed by the question, “do you believe you have sinned?” If the man or woman answers yes, they believe they have sinned, then it is considered safe to move on into the accepted texts of assurance, and pronounce a new-born soul for glory.
But the one very vital feature that has been omitted right at the beginning is guilt. You see, it is not enough to have a knowledge of sin – to give an assent that we have committed sins (most people will readily do this - “Well, none of us is perfect” etc.) But, it is not the acknowledgement of sin that is required, it the guilt of sin. And when a person is brought to see their guilt of sin before their God, who is also their Righteous Judge who will condemn them for their sin, then, they come under conviction, and then, every intimation of “mercy” - even in the lives of others – is a source of eternal hope for their own soul.
Of course, that only leads us on to another question: - Where is “mercy” today? Isn't it a strange thing that we hear so little about “mercy” and yet hear so much about “love”? It is strange for this reason: when you weigh both of these things up you find that there is not a great deal of apparent difference between “mercy” and “love”. They are both “the same kind” of graces from God. And yet, the call seldom goes out for the sinner to seek mercy; he is rather to receive love. Now, why is that? Well, has it not got something to do with the lack of guilt in the sinner's hearts and minds? If there is no awareness of an awful guilt in having sinned against a Holy and Righteous God, then there is little significance in looking for mercy from a compassionate and forgiving God.
What about “love”? You say. Well, love is a very interesting concept as used in our present-day mode of preaching. In reality, the love and mercy of God cannot be rightly separated, for God's love is revealed in His mercy in giving Jesus to die for our sins – the sins of guilty sinners. But, the love of God, as presented today, is more a willingness of God's part to “wink” at the sinner's sin and view the sinner's “decision to be a Christian” as something that He is obligated to reward both in this life and in that which is to come. In other words, there is a subtle touch of reciprocation. “God saw those who were going to decide for Christ”, we are told, “and He elected them to eternal life”. Surely then, there is just a slight hint, at least, of something lovable in the sinner after all; and love becomes the warp and woof of the gospel call. But, mercy is less popular, suited as it is to the guilty sinner; and there are few of those around today. Yet, if there is even one, reading these pages we commend you, my friend, to think and think on all the myriads of redeemed souls, even from the beginning, who have “found mercy”, and let that remembrance be the path for your feet. The prayer seldom varies: “Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner”.
This Page Title – Pastor's Letter – Mercy or Love– Consider the Difference! The Wicket Gate Magazine "A Continuing Witness". Internet Edition number 103 – placed on line July 2013 Wicket Gate contact address – Mr Cliff Westcombe cw@wicketgate.co.uk If you wish to be notified when each new edition goes on line please send an e-mail to the above address Magazine web address – www.wicketgate.co.uk |