QUITE SOME TIME AGO, something started in this old world that changed the lives of millions and it continues to this day. At its conception, it was vigorously attacked by Jews and consequently also by the Roman Empire. However, in spite of all the devil’s ragings against it, and millions being put to death for its cause, we still have it with us. What is it? Why, Christianity, of course!

Christianity was only in its infancy when there arose an intelligent, religious, and zealous Jew named Saul who went about “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9v1). He even admitted that he “persecuted … unto death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women” (Acts 22v4). Then something happened to this Jewish zealot. God apprehended him. On a road leading to Damascus, Saul fell down trembling and found out that Jesus truly was the Son of God, that God had actually raised Him from the dead and that Jesus now lived in heaven! On that occasion, Saul of Tarsus was saved! Though his name was Saul, he used the name Paul after his conversion to Christ. God used Paul as an instrument in the hands of the Holy Spirit to write much of the New Testament! What grace on God’s part! Thirty years after his conversion, he writes, “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1Timothy 1v13).  He then goes on to say, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting” (1 Timothy 1v15-16).

Eternal Life Through God’s Mercy!

The word mercy, simply means, “to have compassion on, to help the afflicted.” Mercy is God bestowing something upon us that we do not deserve. God, in His compassion for this persecutor of Christianity, bestowed upon him eternal life! He didn’t pray for it, work for it, join a church to obtain it. No! God gave Paul salvation as a gift. God declares this to all, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6v23). A gift is something that is totally free to the receiver. Eternal life is totally free to the sinner who believes on Jesus Christ as his Saviour! Thus God’s Word exclaims, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3v5).

In Paul’s conversion, God was showing a pattern, or illustration, of His longsuffering and mercy to sinners. Certainly, if He could save Paul, the chiefest of sinners, He could easily save sinners such as you and me.

“God in mercy sent His Son,
To a world by sin undone.
Jesus Christ was crucified –
T’was for sinners Jesus died”

God looks upon the human race as spiritually dead and in need of divine life.  As already proven, eternal life is not obtained by any efforts of our own, but comes entirely through the grace and mercy of God on our behalf. The Holy Scriptures attest to this, stating that we are “by nature the children of wrath … 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 (made spiritually alive) together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) “(Ephesians 2v3-5). This proves what the Bible says about God – “But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth” (Psalm 86v15) 

When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He was an active Person. As He was leaving Jericho there was a blind man by the wayside begging, “And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” Upon hearing his plea, “Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called…. And he casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus” (Mark 10v47-50).  Upon coming to Jesus, he was saved. This is the only incident in the whole Bible where you will read that, “Jesus stood still.” Imagine, the mighty Son of God standing still at the cry of a poor blind beggar! My friend, this is the attitude of God upon all that call upon Him. The Lord has time for your cry for salvation.

No Mercy!

The Lord tells of a man who died in his sins. “In hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments…And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me…. for I am tormented in this flame” (Luke 16v23–24).  However, in hell there is no mercy! How grand to be saved, for such can exclaim, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever” (Psalm 23v6).

Friend, in your lifetime has there ever been a time and place when you were saved? Have you obtained the mercy of God?

Copied with permission: ROBERT E SURGENOR. Evangelist