Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This coming Lord’s Day we will be resuming our study of 2 John. As you remember, we are taking a very close look at what we have called the ‘three key words in the dictionary of salvation.’ These three blessings, coming from our Father and experienced only in His Son, are listed in verse 3 as “grace, mercy, and peace.”
This week we are taking a second look at the marvelous blessing of “mercy.” So far we have noted that “mercy” is what our Father freely grants to miserable sinners, and it is closely associated with other key Biblical terms such as compassion, long suffering, covenant fidelity, and love. As we probe further the depths of this blessed term, we will look to the Old Testament for mercy’s foundation and promise, and then we will trace mercy’s development and ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant. As you meditate on the inspired words of 2 John 1:3, also consider Micah 7:18-20 and Matthew 9:35-38. I think you’ll see the vital connection to our Lord and Savior who is the very embodiment of “mercy” itself.
Let me also express my love and appreciation for Rev. Jim Daughtry who preached in my absence. I know you were richly fed and blessed by Jim’s ministry, and I am so thankful for his gifts and his willingness to use them. Thank you, brother, for so faithfully feeding the Lord’s people!
I love you all, and can’t wait to see you on Sunday!
In His grace,
Mike
Connecting With the Catechism
Quest. 79. Which is the tenth commandment?
Ans. 79. The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Exod. 20:17.
Quest. 80. What is required in the tenth commandment?
Ans. 80. The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all this is his.
Heb. 13:5; I Tim. 6:6.
Job 31:29; Rom. 12:15; I Tim. 1:5; I Cor. 13:4-7.
Quest. 81. What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?
Ans. 81. The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.
I Kings 21:4; Esther 5:13; I Cor. 10:10.
Gal. 5:26; James 3:14, 16.
Rom. 7:7-8; 13:9; Deut. 5:21.