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Merciful Savior

David's thoughts on this song...

One aspect of God's character that we appreciate from the start of our Christians lives, and will appreciate through eternity, is His great mercy. Only because He is merciful do we escape the punishment we deserve. His merciful love is amazing.

We must not, however, presume upon God's merciful love, thinking it allows us to continue in sin. God has never offered anyone a mercy that says, "I love you, so you may continue to sin without incurring My wrath." Rather, God's mercy offers us an opportunity to repent and be forgiven, so that we may then live our lives in such a way that we are ready to stand before His throne of judgment. As Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, "Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on sin no more" (John 8:11). That is the same mercy Jesus is offering to the entire world at this time. He is not presently condemning them. He is not, however, promising them that He will never condemn them. He is mercifully and temporarily offering them an opportunity to repent and escape His coming wrath.

Moreover, there is such a thing as God's merciful love, but there is also such a thing as His approving love. Merciful love says, "I love you in spite of what you are and what you do." Approving love says, "I love you because of what you are and what you do." Don't think that approving love is wrong or even inferior to merciful love. We would all much rather be loved by others, not in spite of what we are and do, but because of what we are and do. How would you feel if your spouse confessed that the only kind of love he or she possessed for you was merciful love? We would all rather hear our spouses say, "I love you because…"

As we would suspect, the only kind of love that the Father has for Jesus is approving love, which is why Jesus said, "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again" (John 10:17). Jesus always pleased His Father, to the point of being willing to die in obedience to His Father's will. And if there is something wrong with approving love, then something is wrong with how God the Father loves His Son. He loves His Son because of.

The only kind of love God has for those who haven't repented is merciful love. And even that is temporary, lasting until they die. But God's love for those of us who have repented goes way beyond that. He loves us with an approving love. He now loves us "because of" and not just "in spite of." Jesus said, "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love" (John 15:9-10). How much plainer could it be? We abide in Jesus' love only as we keep His commandments, which is the identical way that Jesus abided in His Father's love. That is approving love. Jesus also said, "For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me" (John 16:27). God loves us because we love Jesus. (And if we love Jesus, we will keep His commandments; see John 14:15). That is approving love.

I made mention of God's approving love in this song about God's merciful love in the line that says, "But I found Your favor the moment I turned from my old stubborn way." Don't think that God loves everyone the same. God loves the righteous in a way that He doesn't love the unrepentant. Proverbs 15:9 says, "The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves one who pursues righteousness." Although we can't earn God's mercy, we certainly can (and must) earn His approval.

Download Merciful Savior (5.3 mb)

Merciful Savior
Luke 23:39-43; 1 Thes. 4:17; Titus 3:5
© 2002 David A. Servant
Vocal and Acoustic Guitar: David Servant, BV: Becky Servant, Alto Saxophone: George Lang, Bass: Dave Atkins, Strings: Stephen Servant

O happy day, happy day • When my sins were washed away • Didn't I smile all the time • On the inside and outside when I • Learned that my freedom came at a cost • A very high price • It was for me that You hung on a cross • A holy sacrifice •• Merciful Savior! • You patiently waited when I was astray • But I found Your favor • The moment I turned from my old stubborn way • Nails didn't hold You while on that tree • It was your marvelous mercy • It was the love you so lavished on me •• After the years, so many years, of following You every day • I can't stop the tears, happy tears, whenever I contemplate • How You forgave a thief by Your side, promising Paradise • I too a sinner deserving to die, found kindness in Your eyes •• When I am old, old and happy, and my work on this earth is complete • I'll fly away through the sky, and go to a place where I'll meet • Many old friends who are waiting for me • A grand reunion! • But there is one friend I first want to see: My Savior, God's Son!