Goodness and Mercy

• 3 min. read • grade level: 10

Surely it has been "goodness and mercy" with us all the days of our lives. Another has written that it would be difficult to find two other words to describe as accurately as do the two great words of our text the two-fold provision which has been made by our God for believers... Goodness—that is for our need, and corresponds to what the priesthood of Christ provides (see Heb. 4:14-16¹⁴Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. ¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14‑16)); Mercy—that is for our failure, and well describes what is secured for us by the advocacy of Christ (1 John 2:1¹My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (1 John 2:1)).

Goodness. In Heb. 9:24-28²⁴For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: ²⁵Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; ²⁶For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: ²⁸So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:24‑28), there are three "Appearings" of Christ spoken of. He hath appeared—as a Sacrifice (verse 26); He now appears—as a Priest (verse 24); He shall appear—as a Savior (verse 28). At the present moment, therefore, He now appears in the presence of God for us (verse 24), and seeing He ever liveth there to make intercession for us (Ch. 7:25), we are instructed to come boldly to the throne of grace that we may find grace to help in time of need (Ch. 4:16).

Mercy. But suppose we fail to avail ourselves of the high-priestly provision which has been made for us—what happens then? Does He cast us off forever? That is what we would deserve, no doubt, but that is not what He does. Writing to Christians, the Apostle John says, "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the FATHER"—notice the emphasized word, for it is the key to the understanding of our theme. The grace that makes a man a Christian leaves him still a man. He is not impeccable, for he still has a deceitful heart and a tempting devil to contend with. Hence the force of the word "if any man sin"—the possibility of sinning is admitted, but its necessity is denied. When a Christian does sin, however, he is dealt with not as a convict, but as a son. When your little son disobeys you, you do not send him to the police station to be dealt with. The relationship which you bear to him gives you the right, and lays upon you the responsibility, to deal with him yourself. So it is here. If a believer sins, his Heavenly Father will judge him (see 1 Peter 1:17¹⁷And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: (1 Peter 1:17)); he will be chastened by the Lord that he may not be condemned with the world (1 Cor. 11:32³²But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:32)). It is impossible for God to treat sin lightly, and His disciplinary chastisement of His people who give way to it will eventually make it impossible for any of them to regard it lightly, either. But if you have been tripped up in an unwatchful moment, remember the word: "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous," and He never loses a case. Satan may accuse (Rev. 12:10¹⁰And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Revelation 12:10)), but he cannot condemn (Rom. 8:33, 34³³Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. ³⁴Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:33‑34)); the propitiatory sacrifice of our blessed Lord shall retain its efficacy till every ransomed saint of God be saved to sin no more (1 John 1:7⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)). Whole-hearted confession—which embraces self-judgment and the abhorring and forsaking of that which interrupted communion—is the divinely appointed method of bringing us once again into the enjoyment of that which the advocacy of Christ secures (1 John 1:9⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)).

“Thus 'Goodness' is manifested in the provision of the One who ever lives to intercede, while 'Mercy' follows us to rub out the ugly footprints which we make when, through unwatchfulness, we go astray. There is not a necessity in life unthought of, not a need unprovided for!" J. Smith

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