Proverbs 16:6
|
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
|
Each man must start with the fear of the LORD. It is the very beginning of wisdom and knowledge (1:7; 9:10; Job 28:28; Ps 111:10); it is the foundation for living a godly life (15:16; 20:28; 23:17; 28:14), and it is the whole duty of man (Deut 10:12; Eccl 5:7; 8:12; 12:13-14; Micah 6:7-8). See the comments on 14:27.
The fear of the LORD drives us to seek His approval in every part of our lives. It drives us to hate and turn from all sin (8:13; 14:16; Ps 97:10; 101:3; Amos 5:15; II Cor 7:1). It drives us to learn godliness that will perfect us before Him (Col 1:28; 4:12; Heb 13:21).
Mercy and truth are two jewels of perfect godliness. Mercy is compassion, forgiveness, or kindness we show to others when they are in our power or debt and have no right or claim to them. Truth is perfect fidelity to what is right as revealed in the word of God, and pure dealings in true sincerity without deceit or pretence. Consider these jewels well.
Mercy and truth are unknown to Satan and wicked men. Satan was a liar and murderer from the beginning (John 8:44), which are opposites of truth and mercy. When he seduced Eve in Eden, he questioned and reversed what God had said and profaned His motives: he lied against the truth. Rather than show merciful kindness to Abel, who was righteous in his worship, he moved Cain to kill him for nothing but envy (I John 3:12).
Wicked fools and religious Pharisees lie by word or deed when it serves their purpose, and they will judge without mercy when someone is in their power. They lied to Pilate in their rage to crucify the Truth, and they had no mercy on a Man in Whom he found no fault. They were hypocrites and murderers. They twisted Scripture to justify personal revenge, and they only showed mercy to their friends (Matt 5:38-48; Luke 6:27-36). They hide their own sins under whitewashed exteriors, but they want to expose all others.
They would pull an ass out of a pit on the Sabbath day, but they condemned Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath (Luke 14:1-6). They had no mercy! They condemned the disciples for picking corn on the Sabbath, in spite of David eating the shewbread (Matt 12:1-7). They had no truth or mercy! They refused to answer His legitimate question about John the Baptist due to their wicked rebellion (Matt 21:23-27). They had no truth!
Mercy and truth appear to be opposites - mercy seeks to compromise judgment for the benefit of another, and truth demands that we do right at all times. But in a wise and good man they meet together and modify each other enough to create beautiful gems. They purge iniquity and sin from lives, for most sins are violations of one or the other.
Which is more important? Wisdom requires you to assess circumstances. Purity is more important than peace; we do not compromise truth for mercy (Jas 3:17). Any preaching contrary to Scripture is cursed (Gal 1:8-9). We hate every false way (Ps 119:128), and justifying the wicked brings God's judgment (17:15; I Sam 3:13; I Cor 5:2).
But mercy is more important than the letter of the law (Matt 12:7; Mark 2:27), if it keeps the spirit of the law (John 7:23-24). And minor personal offences demand mercy over judgment (19:11; Matt 5:7,38-42; 6:15; 7:1-2; James 2:13). Bowels of mercies are part of Christian character (Col 3:12-14), which force us to eliminate any fleshly revenge.
A wise man will defend God's truth absolutely, but he will understand when that truth allows for mercy. He will show mercy whenever he can. He will always deal truthfully with others, but he will show mercy toward those who do not deal truthfully with him.
When Scripture states that God's ways are not our ways, it refers to His great degree of mercy in forgiving (Is 55:6-9). It is important we understand the value of this oft-quoted passage in its precious context. God forgives and pardons freely, unlike natural men.
Dear reader, can you balance great zeal for truth with cheerful use of mercy? Would you preach the truth unvarnished to your enemies, then pray for their forgiveness as they stoned you, as did Stephen (Acts 6:8 - 7:60)? Would you blast slothful servants, yet beg for mercy toward a repentant, runaway slave, as did Paul (II Thess 3:8-12; Philemon)?
Do mercy and truth kiss together in your life? Are you vigilant for the truth, but sensitive to the needs of others around you? Do you train your children in the right way, but show them mercy and pity when they fail and repent for foolishness? Do you maintain the godly rule of your wife, yet show honor to her as the weaker vessel?
Do you do the best in faithfully performing your job, but show mercy to the careless waitress who spills a drink in your lap? Do you always pay your bills on time, yet show mercy to those who are tardy in paying you? Do you tell both friend and foe the truth no matter what, but pray for your enemies when they turn against you for it?
Mercy and truth are met together perfectly in the Lord Jesus Christ; righteousness and peace have kissed each other in Him (Ps 85:10). He forgave the soldiers dividing His garments and provided mercy for his mother while hanging on the cross (Luke 23:34; John 19:26-27), and He held firm speaking of truth on trial before a governor who did not understand the thing (John 18:37). He could crush the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes with His infallible use of truth, but He could also pity and forgive harlots seeking mercy.
The purest way of living is when mercy and truth combine to purify our lives. These two elements of godliness come together to make men perfect. And the motivation to seek and practice both of them is the fear of the LORD, which compels us to forsake our sins.
www.letgodbetrue.com
