I have heard this statement before that mercy is somehow defined as “punishment due, withheld.”- but that is totally wrong.
Where is the punishment withheld in the story of the Good Samaritan?
When Christ asked the lawyer "Which now of these three, think you, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do you likewise. (Luke 10:36-37)
Mercy is to have compassion for people who deserve it, not to withhold punishment on those who don't deserve it.
ONLY those who are merciful will receive mercy from God, that is what Christ clearly said: “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)
The parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21-35 also clearly shows that God will not be merciful to those who show no mercy or compassion to others, and will actually take away any forgiveness that they may have previously had.
We must live love God in order to obtain mercy from him:
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keeps covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
(Deu 7:9)
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; Psa_103:17
I have heard this statement before that mercy is somehow defined as “punishment due, withheld.”- but that is totally wrong.
Where is the punishment withheld in the story of the Good Samaritan?
When Christ asked the lawyer "Which now of these three, think you, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do you likewise. (Luke 10:36-37)
Mercy is to have compassion for people who deserve it, not to withhold punishment on those who don't deserve it.
ONLY those who are merciful will receive mercy from God, that is what Christ clearly said: “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)
The parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21-35 also clearly shows that God will not be merciful to those who show no mercy or compassion to others, and will actually take away any forgiveness that they may have previously had.
We must live love God in order to obtain mercy from him:
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keeps covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
(Deu 7:9)
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; Psa_103:17
Amen