HIS FORGIVENESS INCLUDES NOT ONLY HIS MERCY BUT ALSO HIS SACRIFICE.
If someone of you has been put in a jail, you witness the authority of the government. We know that he is going to be punished for his trespass. When there is punishment, it may be noticed that how strong the power or authority of the government is. Then, you will also notice that there is a government with authority under which you are a subject. Let us suppose, this man is freed without punishment, you say that government is moving with mercy. The definition of mercy is forgiving someone or to be kind to someone who they have the power to hurt or punish. If everyone who has been kept in the jail is freed immediately from jail without punishment, what do the people say about such government? Do not people mock at such government? Will not people think the laws of that land are simply written but having no power? Do you think there does an authority exist? Is it called an authority?
This context aptly explains the nature of the authority of the Lord. Many of this world say that why cannot God forgive all with His word as He has created everything by His word. Cannot this God forgive the sinners by His word as He healed many just by His word? They also question us who say our Lord is full of mercy. Their question is – why cannot God of mercy just forgive all sinners with His word? They also question- is such a sacrifice on the cross really needed?
Let us consider this question. The Bible says that power of the Lord is great. This is absolute. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. Psalms 147:5. But a man has to understand that though this authority is absolute, the intention of the Lord behind all these commands is full of mercy. In this connection read this verse- And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel Exodus 25:21. This verse confirms that the Lord speaks and communes with us through the mercy seat. Observe this – Commandments were in the ark of the Lord. He does not speak directly from them. But His talk is from the mercy seat. This would mean that His commandments are with mercy. They have to be seen from the point of view of His mercy.
This has been understood clearly by King David. His commands are not for our punishment but are like guidelines on this earth. King David has understood that the commandments, laws etc., are to be seen from the point of view of His mercy. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was ahungered, and they that were with him ;how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests ? Matthew 12:3-4 & But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. Matthew 12:7. Our Lord Jesus has given this as best example how a commandment or law of the Lord has to be seen. Though the Lord’s authority is absolute, His intentions behind all His words are full of mercy. But this does not mean that you are permitted to disobey and commit sin since the Lord is full of mercy.
Let us now consider the introduction of this article in this context. If a sinner is forgiven by the Lord what does it mean? Does it not mean He has the authority to forgive sins on the earth? The Bible says –But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. Luke 5:24. Suppose, the Lord forgives all human beings on this earth just by His word, what does it convey? If all are forgiven simply by His word, does His authority has any value? If all are simply forgiven just by His one word, what is the necessity to give the law or word to a man? We have seen from His word – Great is our Lord, and of great power Psalms 147:5. If a man has to be set free out of a worldly jail of punishment, you know either he or someone on his behalf have to pay value for it. The value of amount they pay may tell that the disobedience to the government always requires equivalent or some ransom. After all, if the worldly governments want to show off their temporary authority and how much more the everlasting authority of the Lord needs to be greatly glorified? Therefore, the keeping the status of authority of the Lord unchanged and superior, there needs a ransom which has a great value that can bring you out of the hell (jail) where everlasting punishment waiting for the transgressors and sinners. This ransom has a value. As the Bible says – I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, He never wants you to be punished in hell. He has immeasurable mercy. Therefore, He can withdraw his word or commandment for you not being punished. But, if he withdraws his commands for all sinners and forgives them all just by His word, will His authority has any value? Will not men think that God’s authority is nothing but mere writings? Will God humble Himself before men? It is written –his understanding is infinite. Psalms 147:5. Cannot God think this with His infinite understanding? Therefore, God wants to pay the ransom for all of us as He has mercy. He has used his mercy to forgive us. This forgiveness is not by mere His word. His forgiveness includes not only His mercy but also His sacrifice. He himself has paid the ransom, which is nothing but His blood- For ye are bought with a price 1 Corinthians 6:20, on your behalf and saved you. If a man understands this fact completely, he will neither ever question the authority of the Lord, nor thinks in a way why God does not say simply a word for remission of all sins of human beings on the earth. He who really understands His saying that I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, will be obedient to Him throughout his whole life as the Lord has forgiven him through His sacrifice on our behalf which includes His mercy.