Heavenly Springs

Holding Fast The Doctrines of Grace

Contend For The Faith By Showing Mercy

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And have mercy on those who doubt – Jude 1:22

Did you know that God has a pattern for the Christian worker? If we desire to be workmen “approved by God”(2 Tim 2:15) we should pray, among other things, for grace to care deeply for the well being of souls entrusted to our care.  Whether you are a pastor or not, it matters little. There are people providentially placed in your life who belong to God. Of His little ones, He asks, “Will you be gentle?”

“Churches are filled with people who doubt. Young Christians especially have doubts. They have doubts about the Bible. They have doubts about the Christian faith and the exclusivity of our message. After all, stimulating professors and newfound friends from a variety of backgrounds can challenge a faith that was merely assumed to be true until now.

“Pastor, how can I be sure that the Bible is true? And are you really sure that I can’t love Jesus and still do what I want with my body? You know, others teach differently than you do on this. And they seem kind and sincere.”

On such as these, Jude says, “have mercy.” Interestingly, the word here translated “doubt” is the same as the word translated “disputing” in verse 9. Every word has a range of meaning, and while doubt is probably the better choice here, I can say from pastoral experience that sometimes a young Christian with questions falls into disputation.

How are we to handle this when it happens? Perhaps some words Paul gave Timothy can be broadly applied to all of us, and not merely those of us who are shepherds. “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone … correcting … with gentleness” (2 Timothy 2:24, 25). Don’t be harsh. Don’t think that behind every question a budding heretic is getting ready to emerge. Be helpful. Invest in relationships. Be known for your patience and your love. “Have mercy.” That is how to contend for the faith.”

David R. Helm, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude: Sharing Christ’s Sufferings, Preaching the Word, 346-47 (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2008).

Sin cannot blockade the mercy seat

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 “I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” (Ps 34:4)

“It must have been in a very confused manner that David prayed, and there must have been much of self sufficiency in his prayer, or he would not have resorted to methods of such dubious morality as pretending to be mad and behaving as a lunatic; yet his poor limping prayer had an acceptance and brought him succour: the more reason for then celebrating the abounding mercy of the Lord.

We may seek God even when we have sinned. If sin could blockade the mercyseat it would be all over with us, but the mercy is that there are gifts even for the rebellious, and an advocate for men who sin. God makes a perfect work of it. He clears away both our fears and their causes, all of them without exception.

Glory be to his name, prayer sweeps the field, slays all the enemies and even buries their bones.”

Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Volume 1, Hendrickson Publishers, page 123.

Joseph’s Testimony

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“Joseph must have felt betrayed when Mary was discovered to be pregnant. Even so he was willing to protect her by arranging a private divorce (before just two witnesses, cf. Num. 5:11–31). The comment, “a righteous man” (v. 19), reminds us that righteousness is not stern insistence on the letter of the law, but is well flavored with mercy and compassion.”

The Bible Readers Companion, page 602

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13)

Mercy’s Challenge

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“You may find a false god to idolize; you may offer him the daily incense of your devotions; but will this god pardon your sins when you are stretched upon a bed of death? Will money do it? Will fashion do it? Will respectability do it? Will the praise of men do it? Will your own legal, pharisaical, self-righteous heart do it? Turn to all these gods and see what they can do for you on a bed of sickness, in the hour of death, in nature’s last extremity, against Satan’s accusations, a guilty conscience, and the wrath of the Almighty. What can these idols do for you in that hour when flesh and heart fail? All they can do is to abandon you at the last to reap what you have sowed, and leave you in the hands of him who is a consuming fire.”

“Who is a God like unto you, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retains not his anger forever, because he delights in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:18-19)

– J.C. Philpot, 1866, The Triumphs of Mercy