Being transformed by God's mercy - A call to repentance

The Love and Mercy Of God

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The love of God is the flower, the mercy is the fruit. Mercy births out of love.

1 John 4:8b says that God is love. Love and mercy are two attributes that cannot be separated. Just as the flowers produces the seeds, so does God’s love out of the abundance of His grace produces mercy as its fruits. Lamentation 3:23 says that the mercies of God never comes to an end for they are new every morning.

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God’s mercy is that which is unending. The psalmist reminds us of a need to thank Him for the extravagance of His mercies. (Psalm 136)

God's mercy is shown in the new covenant when he told us that he hasn’t come to condemn but to save. For this reason he gave his one and only begotten son, Jesus Christ, who came to die for us so that we may have eternal life.

The parable of the prodigal son portrays the Father as the hero or main character who is always ready to welcome us despite our flaws and weaknesses. It reveals the prodigality of Gods love. A contrite heart God mustn’t reject or turn His back on.

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The parable of the lost sheep, the lost coin e.t.c. reflects the character of God towards His people. The promises in God’s word are birthed out of his love for humanity.

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How then do we respond?. This introduces us to the second half of this article, - A call to repentance. Repentance is our response to God’s love for us (or the Gospel).

God’s love for us is well explained by the sacrifice the shepherd gives the sheep. The food shepherd is one who sacrifices his life for the sheep despite the odds, oppositions or tough times.

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John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. His death is the greatest proof of his love for us, despite he is God, he gave up his life for the salvation of humanity. True love is that which results in sacrifice.

God's love, mercy and grace is incomprehensible, undeserved, unconditional and unending. His mercy is found in him not giving us what we deserve (death) for the wages of sin is death. His grace is endowing us with the extravagant blessings that we don't deserve. His love is that he died for us for our redemption.

Isaiah 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

SAVED BY GRACE

Ephesians 2:4-7 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

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During the presence of unfavorable weather conditions like low temperature, the mother hen protects her chicks with the warmth that comes from her wings. So does God’s love work as well as his mercy but our response to God’s mercy is what matters.

God tells us in the gospel -Matthew 23:37 saying - "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"

Isaiah 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

OUR PART TO PLAY

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We are called to repentance.
Repentance is our first response towards the Gospel of God’s love.
Jesus went forth preaching the Gospel of repentance saying - Repent now, for the kingdom of God is at hand.

The Greek word “metanoia” translates to a change is one’s way of life resulting from conversion or penitence.
Repentance simply means a change of mind; a transformation that involves two stages.

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1. Turning away from sin.

2. Turning towards God.

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When we turn towards Jesus, we are empowered to bear the fruit of faith. When we are in Christ we are armed with weapons for warfare and freedom. Sin disconnects us from God and creates a wound with us; a wound of which only God can heal (by the washing of His blood). When we are in Christ, He fights our battles and becomes our light, refuge and salvation.

It's our duty therefore to turn away from sin and turn towards God. For whosoever loves him will keep his commandment. As he has loved us, We must love him too. And the reciprocity of this love must be shown in our action.

As we walk in the consciousness of repentance, we enjoy the glory of righteousness. In the New covenant, Christ becomes our foundation. This is an invitation to respond to God’s mercy through repentance, within and without.

Prayer: Lamb of God who takes the sins of the world – have mercy on us.