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January 31, 2025 - Proverbs 16:6,7 - Mercy and Truth

Writer's picture: Pastor Ken WimerPastor Ken Wimer

Proverbs 16:6,7

"By Mercy and Truth iniquity is purged: And by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. When a man's ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him."


"By Mercy and Truth iniquity is purged"

Iniquity purged is sin "expiated." This does not refer to sinners who may perform acts of mercy toward others in their time of need, nor to speaking the truth when giving advice or counsel. Men's acts of mercy—such as giving alms or showing mercy to the poor—cannot in any way diminish or put away one's sin. Likewise, speaking truth—such as keeping promises and doing justice between man and man—may draw respect from fellow creatures and accolades for being "good" persons, but cannot serve as payment or penance for sin. As the hymn writer penned the words:

"Not the labor of my hands

Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears forever flow,

All for sin could not atone;

Thou must save, and Thou alone."


Through His "Mercy," in the fullness of the time, God sent forth His Son to be the Propitiation for the sin of His elect (Galatians 4:4)—whom He chose for salvation before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-7). The only One who could save His elect from their sin is Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 1:21, Mark 1:1). Sin required a sacrifice that could meet the demands of the penalty. Since the penalty was death, only the shedding of blood unto death could put away sin (Hebrews 9:22). Only the life of the Creator could be a sacrifice for sinners whom God the Father purposed to save (John 1:1-4, 14). The blood of Jesus Christ expiated the guilt—not just covering the sin, but completely putting it away and thereby redeeming the sinner from eternal death.


Through His "Truth," God has fulfilled His promises concerning Christ. In particular, He has fulfilled the Promise of pardon through the sacrifice and satisfaction of the LORD Jesus, where mercy and truth have met together, or through the grace and truth that came by Jesus Christ (Psalm 85:10-11). Through His effectual sacrifice unto death, He has finished transgression, made an end of sin, and made reconciliation for iniquity (Daniel 9:24).


Some see mercy and truth as opposites, but everywhere in Scripture we find that these are attributes of God that are eternally and inseparably united when it comes to the salvation of sinners.

1.) Iniquity can only be purged in God’s justice where both are satisfied. Notice the inspired Word does not say ‘either by mercy OR truth,’ but ‘by mercy AND truth, iniquity is purged.’ Elsewhere, in Psalm 85:10, we read, “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” God cannot and will not set aside one for the other to save the sinner.


2.) Mercy and truth do not leave their objects indifferent. The Word declares, “…by the fear of the LORD, men DEPART from evil.” It is the revelation of mercy and truth in Christ, by the Spirit of God in the heart, that causes the sinner to fear the LORD and renounce every false way of approaching God. The Bible calls false worship evil, and those who promote it as workers of iniquity: "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:23).


3.) Mercy and truth accomplished in the death of the LORD Jesus cause a man’s ways to please the LORD. Let no one mistake this text to say that by a man showing mercy and acting truthfully, his iniquity is purged. The original leaves no room for such an interpretation. It reads, "By mercy and truth HE shall purge iniquity." HE—God, by His mercy in sending His Son, the LORD Jesus, into the world—shall purge iniquity according to His Truth and Justice. So effectual would be the sacrifice of God’s Son that the end result would be peace, and ALL the ways of those sinners for whom He died would please the LORD. “He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7).


All for whom Christ died were enemies, under condemnation and not justified until the LORD Jesus paid their horrible sin debt. "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). However, upon completion of His death, they were once for all reconciled unto Him and declared to be righteous (justified) before Him. As a sinner saved by grace, there is great comfort and consolation in knowing that the salvation of God is just and true and that God is just in showing mercy to sinners for whom Christ died. Because He died, the Father was satisfied, and “there is therefore now [since the cross] NO CONDEMNATION” (Romans 8:1).


In Christ, then, mercy and truth are agreed together in an eternal bond that can never be broken!




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