by God's Little Boy
© MakeshiftDarkroom.com 2013
Posted 11/7/13
Mercy for the guilty. Just the title for this thought alone, is enough...
To be guilty of serious offences and then completely forsaken by all, for the sake of expedience, is perhaps, the loneliest place to be, in this world. Imagine being lost in your sin and not knowing God and the divine nature that delivers from the hopeless perils of human depravity. And then image what it would be like to be in that place and not have another living soul stand with you. Further still, imagine what it would be like to have all turn against you, because of your guilt. The guilty are, without a doubt, some of the loneliest people under heaven. In this present reality, to be a sinner is to be guilty of sin. It is true that there are men who are utterly foolish and completely hardened and impermeable to any notion of godliness, and such are given over to their own ways. But then, there is the lost sinner who has been trapped and ruined by his sin, yet remains a blank canvas for God to paint his picture of redemption upon.
The thieves who were crucified with Christ are a clear example of this. This account, in scripture, serves as a great illustration of the great divide that exists. It is a picture of how some in this world will reject Christ and how some will receive him. Hanging on one side of Christ was that ungodly malefactor who, even in his death, remained with the wicked and cast mocking insult at Christ. But on the other side of Christ was that ruined sinner, who though he had wasted his life in iniquity, was overcome by the manifestation and beckoning power of superabundant grace. These were condemned men who were at their very end - without a friend in the world. The multitude that watched them being led to Golgotha and brutally crucified rejoiced in their punishment. It was thought expedient to forsake these men, for the good of society - and perhaps this was true. The penitent thief must have sought for mercy, but there was no mercy to be found from any that day, he was forsaken and alone. But as he suffered, he was not without hope; for he was near to Jesus. He wanted to be rescued and pleaded, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom." God heard his cry for mercy; Jesus was there for him, and gave him mercy! "and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37b) Jesus received him! There is a God in heaven who is ever present to attend to the sinner's cry. No one is beyond the reach of God's mercy! Jesus was there for the dying thief in the darkest hour of his life. God was present with the assurance of paradise and a love that transcends sin and the demands of the civil penal system. This man was reaping the consequences of his earthly crimes, but he obtained mercy and the comfort of God's acceptance, for his eternal soul.
Mercy is for guilty people, and for all who will receive it. The guilty are never without hope, in this world, for they have a savior in Jesus - the friend of sinners. "All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men:" (Matthew 12:31a) But what about the guilty within the household of faith? What about believing souls who have fallen to the bottom? What shall become of them? Should these guilty be cut off or put away? In the face of guilt there is one thing we should consider: is the guilty numbered with the believing or the faithless? All manner of sin shall be forgiven unto men. If the ungodly receive mercy at God's hand how much more should the children of God? "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved" (Ephesians 1:6). The righteous are never forsaken by God, even when they are guilty. The Lord is near to all who put their trust in him. He is always present and abounding with mercy for the guilty. 
"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever. I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" (Psalm 118:1-6)
Come, Ye Sinners, Poor And Needy
Joseph Hart
1759
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.
Refrain
I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.
Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.
Refrain
Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all.
Refrain
View Him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies.
On the bloody tree behold Him;
Sinner, will this not suffice?
Refrain
Lo! th’incarnate God ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude.
Refrain
Let not conscience make you linger,
Not of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.
Refrain
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