Clarifying our Definition of Mercy
Joel Beeke writes, "It is popular in some circles to define grace as God's giving people what they do not deserve, and mercy as his not giving people what they do deserve." This is how I have often heard it taught and I have also used this distinction myself. Beeke continues, "However, in the New Testament, the Lord's 'mercy' is better defined as his active compassion toward those in misery . We see this in the cries of the blind men who desired that Christ would heal them: 'Have mercy on us!'" (emphasis added). If we define mercy as "not giving people what they deserve," this becomes harder to square with the blind men and their request of the Lord. The mercy they desire to be shown is healing! It's not a withholding of something bad which they deserve, but it is an ac t of compassionate healing they desire. Notice that after crying out numerous times for mercy, Jesus asked them, “What do you want me to do for you?” Th...