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By: Robert E. Zink
April 24, 2023
In writing to Timothy, the Apostle Paul begins as he often does. He politely identifies himself, identifies whom he is writing to, and then offers a greeting of some sort. Astute Bible readers will notice something different about the greeting offered to Timothy though. Paul writes, "Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." Those words encourage Timothy, who comes to Ephesus in the middle of difficult circumstances (to confront false teaching coming from within the body). What stands out about this particular greeting is the addition of the word “mercy.”
Commonly Paul will greet others with a greeting of God’s grace and peace, but mercy is found only in the letters to Timothy. As I began to preach this first epistle to Timothy this past week I began to dwell on the significance of that word. Mercy, used Scripturally, is a meaningful word full of significance for the Christian life. As a result, mercy is a godly attribute that has a bearing on our evangelism as well.
In preparing to preach Paul’s introductory verses of 1 Timothy, several common themes emerged regarding its significance. Ultimately, mercy is made visible by outward compassion. What's unique about mercy is that it is motivated by sorrow over suffering, specifically the suffering that comes from sin. For God, mercy is His compassion resulting from His pity on the suffering people endure due to sin.
How does this notion of mercy transform our engagement in evangelism?
In writing to Timothy, the Apostle Paul begins as he often does. He politely identifies himself, identifies whom he is writing to, and then offers a greeting of some sort. Astute Bible readers will notice something different about the greeting offered to Timothy though. Paul writes, "Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord." Those words encourage Timothy, who comes to Ephesus in the middle of difficult circumstances (to confront false teaching coming from within the body). What stands out about this particular greeting is the addition of the word “mercy.”
Commonly Paul will greet others with a greeting of God’s grace and peace, but mercy is found only in the letters to Timothy. As I began to preach this first epistle to Timothy this past week I began to dwell on the significance of that word. Mercy, used Scripturally, is a meaningful word full of significance for the Christian life. As a result, mercy is a godly attribute that has a bearing on our evangelism as well.
In preparing to preach Paul’s introductory verses of 1 Timothy, several common themes emerged regarding its significance. Ultimately, mercy is made visible by outward compassion. What's unique about mercy is that it is motivated by sorrow over suffering, specifically the suffering that comes from sin. For God, mercy is His compassion resulting from His pity on the suffering people endure due to sin.
How does this notion of mercy transform our engagement in evangelism? As we engage God's work by putting on God's character, what is the relationship between mercy and evangelism? Simply put, mercy compels evangelism (and, for that matter, discipleship). If we are saddened by the effects of sin in our community and in our country, that pity should inspire a commitment to evangelism.
Just before writing this, I spent time in discipleship with a wonderful couple from our church. Because of some recent tragedies that have impacted our church, the conversation turned toward the circumstances in our communities. Such a conversation was not unlike the one that many of you have with people you know who are concerned about animosity and violence characterizing our culture. What made this conversation different than others was that lament led to pity. Together, we were not fearful but sorrowful, knowing that the severe effects we are experiencing are the result of sin.
What is the answer to these ongoing issues? The Great Commission. It continues to occur to me that our Lord instituted the Great Commission as a solution to many of the ongoing problems that our culture faces. But notice the relationship between mercy and evangelism. Concern and pity motivate compassion (or mercy) towards those that are suffering the consequences of sin, and compassion inspires evangelism and discipleship.
Mercy is a characteristic of God experienced by each one of us through the substitutionary atonement of Christ. As recipients of God’s mercy, we, of all people, should be mournful over the consequences of sin and the suffering that results because we know it doesn't have to be that way. Being receivers of mercy, should we not also be givers of mercy? Of course. But how? By participating in the Great Commission, which is God's remedy for those who are suffering in sin.
(and, for that matter, discipleship). If we are saddened by the effects of sin in our community and in our country, that pity should inspire a commitment to evangelism.
Just before writing this, I spent time in discipleship with a wonderful couple from our church. Because of some recent tragedies that have impacted our church, the conversation turned toward the circumstances in our communities. Such a conversation was not unlike the one that many of you have with people you know who are concerned about animosity and violence characterizing our culture. What made this conversation different than others was that lament led to pity. Together, we were not fearful but sorrowful, knowing that the severe effects we are experiencing are the result of sin.
What is the answer to these ongoing issues? The Great Commission. It continues to occur to me that our Lord instituted the Great Commission as a solution to many of the ongoing problems that our culture faces. But notice the relationship between mercy and evangelism. Concern and pity motivate compassion (or mercy) towards those that are suffering the consequences of sin, and compassion inspires evangelism and discipleship.
Mercy is a characteristic of God experienced by each one of us through the substitutionary atonement of Christ. As recipients of God’s mercy, we, of all people, should be mournful over the consequences of sin and the suffering that results because we know it doesn't have to be that way. Being receivers of mercy, should we not also be givers of mercy? Of course. But how? By participating in the Great Commission, which is God's remedy for those who are suffering in sin.
