‘You have received mercy’

What a statement! There is no more compact description of Jesus’ followers than that they ‘have received mercy’! Thus God silences both our pride and Satan’s accusation. Boasting is impossible – except in our Merciful God. Our critics’ favourite jibe: ‘Call yourself a Christian? You’ll never be good enough!’ is exposed as rubbish – because we are not made disciples by our own goodness, but by God’s mercy! Yet if many believers today are asked ‘are you a Christian?’, I hear them respond: ‘O I wouldn’t say that… I do my best!’ That may sound humble, but it’s a slight on God’s generosity. Indeed many who still use evangelical language have reduced their ‘Good News’ to a moral code that can be followed without the need of a Saviour… or mercy. To such teachers and their followers, Paul addressed his fiery Galatian letter (Gal 1:6-7a) : I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – which is no gospel at all. 1 Peter 2:10 is your personal ID – keep it safe… by letting everyone see it!

‘O magnify the Lord with me!’

David A

Read this back number in 3D. Click the cover…