The Mercy of The Lord

Psalm 103 :17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

I'll be the first to admit that the Lord's grace is something to be extremely thankful for. Without the Lord's grace and mercy we'd all be in big trouble. What I want to point out this morning is where men have taken this world by mistaking Grace for a license to sin. Of course they'll never admit that's what they teach but in effect, that's exactly what it is.

Psalm 103 tells us the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting but for who?

to those that remember his commandments to do them.

The babylonian church likes to argue in circles over the ramifications of not obeying, or they ask "how much sin is too much sin" or "at what point will my disobedience, faithlessness, sinfullness get me "cutoff from the vine, thrown out and burned up" (John 15)?

What kinds of questions are those? Instead of focusing on how to please the Lord in every way, they want to know how much of what does'nt please him can they get away with and still get into heaven. You still wondering why Matt 7:13-14 says few will make it through the narrow gate that leads to life? How many souls will be lost listening to the siren song that sings "there's always time to change the road your on....always tomorrow to ask for forgiveness?" What happens when tomorrow does'nt come for you and your soul is required of you today? What happens when Jesus shows up today and you told yourself this morning "I'll square up with Jesus tomorrow, I just need to taste that sin one more time, then I'll be ready to give it up?"

What happens is, the servant that is found not doing what the Lord wanted him to do will suffer.

Luke 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Does being "cut asunder, and appointed a portion with the unbelievers" sound "saved" to you?
There are many many people who are going to find out the hard way, that being "cutoff" from the vine, thrown out and burned up, appointed a portion with the unbelievers etc is not anywhere close to "saved."

For those whose focus is on how they can please the master day in and day out, they have no need to figure out how much sin is too much sin, they have no need to try and figure out at what point they will be cutoff from the vine or appointed a portion with the unbelievers. Do you think our God is playing games with us? He sees the heart, he knows those who have sold out to him, weak and imperfect as they are, but even if they only have "one talent" (Matt 25) they are putting it to work on behalf of the King of Kings. Where is your heart? Where is your focus? I don't think this is a big "gotcha" sceme where the Lord shows up and says "hey, I know you've given me your heart soul and spirit to do what pleases me, now get away from me..." Sin does matter, it does'nt please the Lord. Faithlessness does matter, it does'nt please the Lord. Disobedience does matter, it does'nt please the Lord. If you love him, you will obey his commands. I did'nt say that, he did.

Thank the Lord for his mercy, his kindness, his tender loving care. He chose the weak, despised things of the world to shame the strong, honored things. I am the least of the servants of the Lord, yet his love toward me has been overwhelming. If I am the least of his servants, how much more will his love toward you abound? Terrible, awful, frightening times are coming....for the world. An escape from all has been promised, and even apart from that escape we have a living ark of refuge here on this earth, today in the person and kingship of Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Lord has promised us many things, and in my life, I have never once seen him default on a single promise...ever. He's batting 100% over the period of a lifetime. Am I the only one who can say this? By all means no:

Psalm 37
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

Depart from evil and do good, is that really so hard to understand? Do men really need PhDs and ABCEFG degrees to "get it."

Time is short, only the Lord knows how short. Be patient to wait for him however long he should tarry, be ready for him to come back today. Do not doubt. Settle for yourself what you really believe because the Lord is looking at your heart right now to determine where you stand. Your faith is everything, without it you will be in a world of hurt. You are dearly loved. grace and peace