1

The All Encompassing Efficacy and Potency of God's Mercy

Towards Humanity

By
Newman Chintuwa Enyioko (MNIM, MBA.M.Sc. B.Sc)
Email: newmanenyioko@yhoo.com,
Affiliation: Medonice Management Consulting and Research Institute, Port
Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Abstract
This study or paper examines the 'All Encompassing Efficacy and Potency of
God's Mercy Towards Humanity'. The writer uses exploratory research to generate and
harness the writings espoused in this paper. The paper has revealed that the tender
mercy of our God moves Him to provide salvation for those who are in desperate need.
The mercy of God is new every morning. The study has equally revealed that the mercy
of the Lord is a much spoken subject in the Word of God that it appears in the Bible for
over 250 times. The central importance of God's mercy to the existence of man and his
salvation cannot be overemphasized in Christendom. Evidently and conclusively in this
Bible Study, the paper submits that the master key to the attraction of God's mercy is
wisdom. Wisdom means knowledge of God's word with understanding and practical
obedience to follow the detects and provisions of the WORD through total submission.
The paper therefore opines that we should go back to the purpose that God has given us
to achieve or do and graciously desire to do them with the fear of God, because the fear
of God is the beginning of wisdom. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not
consumed, because his compassions fail not, (Lamentations 3:22). In view of the pivotal
ingredients of mercy to Christians the paper recommends: Worship (APLOT) {Mthw
22:37; Mk 12:29-30. Deut. 6:5; Deut. 28:47}; Christ-like (LJ PLGGFMT - Gal. 5:22-23;
J on 15:2, 16); Service {(SHAPE) Mthw 22:39; Lev.19:18. Exod. 23:25}; Fellowship
(CO&CG) Acts 2:42; Heb.10:25; 2Cor.13:14; Psalm 23:6); Evangelism (Self testimony,
sharing of the goodness and benefits of salvation) {Rev.12:11; Ps 119:46; Psalm 22:22;
Mthw 28:19; Lk 24:47; Acts 1:8; Isaiah 43:10; 1Cor.9:16b}. Let us therefore come
boldly to the throne of grace, (with the BLOOD of Jesus Christ and FAITH plus the
WORD of God) that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need, (
Hebrews 4:16). Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of
J esus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and
godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, (2 Peter
1:23).

Keywords: Mercy (Ebere), favour (Ihuoma or Iruoma), Grace (Amara), Compassion
(Obi-omaiko), Kindness (Obioma), Goodness (Idinma).


2



1. Introduction
The reason for heavens is the earth,(Gen. 1:14-19). The reason for the earth is
man (Gen. 1:26; Isaiah 45:18). The reason for man is mandate and purpose driven.
Mandate (earth) driven to be fruitful, multiply, replenish, subdue and dominate the earth
(Gen. 1:28; Psalm 8:4-6) and purpose driven to worship God (Matt. 22:37-38; Mark
12:29-30), fellowship with God (J on.15:5-6) and man (Heb 2:25; Acts 2:42, be Christ-
like (Mark 16:20), serve God and humanity (Matt. 22:39-40; Mark 12:31) and propagate
the gospel of peace (Matt. 28:19; J on.15:16; Mark 16:15-16; 1Cor.9:16B, Exod. 23:25).
Our life is a star based, suggestive of five purposes, which we must keep in balance.
These purposes are summarized in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission
of J esus. These two statements sum up the God's five purposes for our life:
i. "Love God with all your heart": We were planned for God's pleasure, so our
purpose is to love God through worship.
ii. "Love your neighbor as yourself': We were shaped for serving, so our purpose is
to show love for others through ministry.
iii. "Go and make disciples": We were made for a mission, so our purpose is to
share God's message through evangelism.
iv. "baptize them into . . .": We were formed for God's family, so our purpose is to
identify with his church through fellowship.
v. "teach them to do all things ...": We were created to become like Christ, so our
purpose is to grow to maturity through discipleship.
Man failed initially through Adam in the process of achieving both the mandate
(FMRSD-Gen 1:28) and purpose driven Agenda, hence God regretted creating man,
(Gen. 6:6-7). 'For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;'(Romans 3:23).
But J ehovah El Hanun (Exodus 34:6) decided to have mercy on man by sending His
only begotten Son, J esus Christ to die on the Cross of Calvary in order to re-admit us to
God to reign as kings and priests here on earth, (Rev. 5:9-10). A commitment to the
Great Commandment and the Great Commission will make us great Christians that can
attract the mercy of God. This Bible Study engages us in detailed and deep rooted
expositions on 'Have Mercy Upon Us O Lord'.

1B. Research Questions

The study seeks to address and answer the following research questions:
1. What are the two key agenda God envisioned for man which he failed to do? (that
necessitated the need for mercy of God?.
2. What is mercy / grace?
3. Who needs mercy ? And why?
4.(i). What are the benefits of mercy?
4(ii). What are the benefits of Grace?
5. What are the distinctive qualities of Gods mercy?

3

6. How does God demonstrate the generosity of His mercy in his dealings with the
people?
7. What shall we do before attracting mercy from God?
8. What are the attributes and requirements for getting generous mercy of God?
9. What are the qualifications or Properties of God's mercy?
10. What are the 3 key activities for generating God's mercy?
11. What are the hindrances to God's mercy?
12. What shall we do to be graciously entreated in God's mercy?
13. What are the steps to obtain divine favour which we can find in the book of J ames
4:7-9?
14. Conclusively what is the master key to the attraction of God's mercy?

2. Meaning of Mercy / Grace
Mercy is defined by Webster's Dictionary as: (1) compassion or forbearance shown to
an offender or subject; clemency or kindness extended to someone instead of strictness
or severity; (2) a blessing regarded as an act of divine favour or compassion; (3) relief
of distress; compassion shown to victims of misfortune.
A good way to understand the meaning of mercy is to see how it relates to grace:
1. Mercy--not getting what you do deserve / withheld punishment
2. Grace--getting what you don't deserve / unmerited favour
Eph 2:3-5 (NIV) ...Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because
of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even
when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
Grace is defined by Webster's Dictionary as: 1) beneficence or generosity shown by
God to man; especially divine favour unmerited by man: the mercy of God as
distinguished from his justice; 2) a short prayer either asking a blessing before or giving
thanks after a meal; 3) disposition to kindness, favour, clemency or compassion: benign
goodwill; the display of kindly treatment usually on the part of a superior. [Bible
passages regarding grace show that all three in the Godhead express mercy: the Father
(Rom. 1:7; etc.), the Son (Rom. 16:20; etc.), and the Spirit (Heb. 10:29).]

3. Who Needs Mercy?
Everybody needs the mercy of God: For all have sinned, and come short of the
glory of God, (Romans 3:23). All have sinned - In Adam, and in their own persons; by a
sinful nature, sinful tempers, and sinful actions. And are fallen short of the glory of God
- The supreme end of man; short of his image on earth, and the enjoyment of him in
heaven. Both J ew and gentile sinned and forfeited God's glory, and both are justified
through the free gift of his grace by being redeemed in Christ J esus who was appointed
by God to sacrifice his life so as to win reconciliation through faith. In this way God
makes his justice known; first, for the past, when sins went unpunished because he held
his hand, then, for the present age, by showing positively that he is just, and that he
justifies everyone who believes in J esus (Rom 3:23-27). So what becomes of our
boasts? "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger,
abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving

4

wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the wicked unpunished... " (Ex
34:6-7 (NIV).
4(i). The benefits of Mercy: That is; God not giving us what we do deserve. We
deserve Hell. We are wretched people. We fell out of his grace. But we have got the
benefit of mercy. Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost. which he shed on us abundantly through J esus Christ our Saviour. Not
according to what we have done but according to his mercy, he saved us. He is a
merciful God. Mercy triumphs over judgment. J ames 2:13. God's mercy restrains
His anger; removes our sins and remembers our frailty.
4(ii).The benefits of Grace: That is God giving us unmerited favour. Titus 2:11 For
the grace of God which bringeth Salvation hath appeared unto all men. Grace brought
Salvation. A lot of people think you can get it by signing your name on church roll call.
You cannot get Salvation without Grace. There is no other name under heaven by where
/ which we must be saved. He is the God of the Americans, the God of the Germans, the
God of the Russians, the God of the J apanese, the God of the Africans and He is able to
save them to the uttermost. His grace is sufficient for all. Ephesians 2:8 For by Grace
are ye saved through faith that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Its a gift.
Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through J esus
Christ our Lord. Theres nothing nowhere that Gods grace will not be sufficient. We
are ... saved by grace; Forgiven by grace. Sustained by grace; Healed by grace.
Liberated by grace; Restored by grace; Used by grace; Transformed by grace; we Give
by grace; We are to live by Grace; Grow in Grace and Express Gratitude for Grace.
5. Distinctive Qualities of Gods Mercy
(i) Great mercy. Then Solomon said, You have shown great mercy
to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in
truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You
have reserved for Him this great mercy, that you have given him
a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day (I Kings 3:6).
(ii) Covenant mercy. I said, I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the great
and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and mercy for
those who love Him and keep His commandments (Neh. 1:5).
(iii) Abundant mercy. For You, LORD, are good and ready to forgive, and
abundant in mercy to all who call upon You (Ps. 86:5).
(iv) Everlasting mercy. For the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting
to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to childrens
children (Ps. 103:17).
(v) Tender mercy. Because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the
Sunrise from on high will visit us (Luke 1:78).
(vi) Rich mercy. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with
which He loved us (Eph. 2:4).
(vii) Full mercy. We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the

5

endurance of J ob and have seen the outcome of the Lords dealings, that the Lord is full
of compassion and is merciful (J ames 5:11).
6. How God Demonstrates the Generosity of His Mercy in his Dealings with
the people

God as a parent
Ps 103:13-14; Eph 1:4-6 See also Isa 49:15; Isa 63:7-8; Isa 66:13; J er 31:20; Hos 11:1-
4; Mal 3:17; 2Co 1:3
Gods mercy and compassion to those in distress
Isa 49:13 See also Ex 2:23-24; Ps 91:14-16; Ps 111:2-9; Ps 113:7-9; Ps 142:1-3; Isa
63:9; J nh 2:2; 2Co 4:1; Heb 4:16
In judgment, Gods mercy is just and true
Dt 32:36 See also Ps 143:1; Isa 11:3-5; Isa 30:18; Isa 54:7-8; Isa 60:10; Hab 3:2; Rev
19:11
God may choose to show no mercy
Ps 59:5 See also J os 11:20; J er 21:7; J ames 2:13
Gods mercy shown in his actions
The act of salvation Eph 2:4-5 See also Ex 15:13; J udge 2:18 In the OT, salvation was
seen in physical, as much as in spiritual, terms; Ps 13:5; Ps 28:6-8; Ps 31:21-22 David
appeals to Gods mercy: Ps 40:10-11; Ps 57:1; Ps 69:16; Ps 86:15-16.; Ps 98:2-3; Ps
116:4-6; Ne 9:27; 1Pe 1:3; 1Pe 2:10; 2Pe 3:15
His forgiveness Ps 51:1-2 See also Nu 14:18-19; Ps 25:6-7; Ps 79:8; Ps 130:1-4; Isa
55:7; Hos 14:1-4; Mic 7:18-19; 1Ti 1:15-16; 1J n 1:9
His blessing Dt 13:17-18 Moses concerning idolatry. See also Dt 7:12-13; Dt 30:3
Gods Demonstration of His Mercy through J esus Christ
Romans 3:25 "God set Christ forth to be a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to
demonstrate His righteousness." Every day, God is merciful and kind to you and me on
both a corporate and individual basis. In the Sermon on the Mount, J esus points to His
Fathers mercy and kindness toward even those who are evil and unthankful, when He
commands all of us to act in love toward those who are our enemies and would hurt us
if given the chance (Luke 6:34-36).

7. What to Do Before Attracting Mercy from God (Our Obligations)
In Ephesians 4:11-29, Paul tells us what God has provided for us and what God
expects of us. These are the things we should do before attracting God's mercy. He gave
some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors
and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of
the body of Christ; {13} until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which
belongs to the fullness of Christ. This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord,
that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, {18}
being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the
ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; {19} and they, having





6

become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind
of impurity with greediness. {20} But you did not learn Christ in this way, {21} if
indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in J esus, {22}
that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is
being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, {23} and that you be renewed in
the spirit of your mind, {24} and put on the new man, which in the likeness of God has
been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. {25} Therefore, laying aside
falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH, EACH ONE of you, WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are
members of one another. {26} BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun
go down on your anger, {27} and do not give the devil an opportunity. {28} Let him
who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what
is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need. {29} Let
no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for
edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who
hear. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and
honour, (Prov. 21:21). Put away WACEMB (Eph 4:31); SHE DRAWS EVU FILMS
(Gal 5:19-21); WIP DUMB CHIEF(Rms 1:28-31)

8. Positioning Ourselves for the Generous Mercy of God: Attributes and
Requirements
Mercy is the result and effectof God's goodness. God is essentially good in
himself, and relatively good to us. "You are good, and do good." This relative goodness
is nothing else but his mercy, which is an innate propensity in God to pity and support
such as are in misery:
[i] It is the great design of the Scripture to represent God as merciful. " Exodus
34:6-7.
[ii] God is more inclined to mercy, than wrath. Mercy is his darling attribute, which
he most delights in. "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the
transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? (Palm 36).
[ii] There is no conditionbut we may spy mercy in it. When the church was in
captivity, she cried out, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not
consumed.".(Lamentation 3:22)
[iv] Mercy sweetens all God's other attributes. God's holiness without mercy, and his
justice without mercywould be dreadful. Mercy sets God's power on work to help us;
it makes his justice become our friend.
[v] Even the worst people taste God's mercy. Such as fight against God's mercy, taste
of it; the wicked have some crumbs from mercy's table. "The Lord is good to all."
[vi] Mercy coming to us in salvation, is sweetest. To have health is a mercybut to
have Christ and salvation is a greater mercy.
[vii] All the mercy in the creature is derived from God, and is but a drop from this
ocean. "The Father of mercies," because he begets all the mercies in the world. If God
has put any kindness into the creature, how much kindness is in him who is the Father
of mercy!

7

[viii] Mercy stays the speedy execution of God's justice. Sinners continually provoke
God, and make "the fury come up in his face." Why is it, that God does not immediately
arrest and condemn them? It is not that God cannot do it, for he is armed with
omnipotencebut it is from his mercy.
B. The qualifications or PROPERTIES of God's mercy.
[a] God's mercy is FREE. "He has chosen us in him, according to the good pleasure of
his will." J ustification is free. "Being justified freely by his grace." Salvation is free.
[b] God's mercy is an overflowing mercy; it is INFINITE. "Plenteous in mercy."
"Rich in mercy." "Multitude of mercies.".
[c] God's mercy is ETERNAL. "The mercy of the Lord is from eternity to eternity."
Psalm 103:17. "His mercy endures forever," is repeated twenty-six times in Psalm 136.

Key Activities for God's Mercy
Activity one: We are to look upon God in PRAYER, not in his judgment robes
Go to prayer with confidence in God's mercy; as a cold person goes to a fire, saying, "it
will warm me, not burn me."
Activity two: BELIEVE in his mercy. "I will trust in the mercy of God forever." God's
mercy is an open fountain..
Activity three: Speak and Act on the WORD of God (Heb.11:3; Isaiah 34:16;
41:21-23; 55:11; 62:6)

9. Hindrances to Receiving God's Mercy
It's time to forgive and release both the offenses and the offenders and be set free
of unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment in the name of J esus Christ of Nazareth.
The following are the issues that can hinder God's mercy:
i. Self-condemnation will keep you from receiving God's mercy.
When you condemn yourself for all the bad things you have done and the devil
points them out to you, you begin to get in agreement with him. Remember, Satan
is the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10). J onah 2:8 says, "They that observe
lying vanities forsake their own mercy."
ii Self-righteousness will keep you from receiving God's mercy.
The account of the Pharisee and the publican in the parable J esus shared in Luke
18:10-14 says that: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee,
and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed that he was not a sinner
like the other men who are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this
publican. But the publican, prayed and confessed his sins and pleaded with God
to be merciful to him as a sinner. Jesus confirmed that: for every one that exalts
himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted. The
publican who acknowledged that he was a sinner was forgiven, but the self-
righteous Pharisee was not forgiven. Self-righteousness builds a wall and blocks
the mercy of God.
iii. A "works syndrome" will block the mercy and grace of God. If you get
over into a "works syndrome" that you are pulling it off with your own money
and efforts, then you are right back in the same place as those who are attempting

8

to reach God by the works of the law. But if you realize, "All the money I have
has come from God," then you will acknowledge that whatever harvest or
blessing comes back to you is because of the mercy and grace of God. Take a
stand against assuming that works will attain righteousness. You do the works
because it's your responsibility. You feed, clothe, reach out, witness, touch, share
and give because freely it has been given to you.
iv Failure to give mercy will block the mercy of God. J esus said, "Blessed
are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy" (Matt. 5:7). If you are merciful to
others, you will receive mercy. In Luke 6:36-38, J esus said: Be ye therefore
merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not and ye shall not be judged:
condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken
together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same
measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. The way you give
mercy is the way others will show mercy to you. If you want mercy in good
measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, then you need to give
it in the same measure to others.
v. Unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment will block God's grace and
mercy. When people are unmerciful, unforgiving and they hold grudges and
resentments, they stop the healing power of God from coming into their body. In
fact, all of God's blessings are blocked by unforgiveness, bitterness, and
resentment.

10. What shall we do to be graciously entreated in God's mercy?
(i.) Be sensible of your needs. See how much you stand in need of pardoning, saving
mercy.
(ii.) Go to God for mercy. "Have mercy upon me, O God!" Lord! let me have saving
mercy and loving-kindness. Give me such mercy as speaks your electing love to my
soul."
(iii.) Be upon Gerizimthe mount of blessing and praising, (Deut. 27:12).{Simeon,
Levi, J udah, Issachar, J oseph and Benjamin].
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!"
.(vi.) Love God. Mercy should be the attraction of love. "I will love you, O Lord, my
strength."
(v.) Imitate God in showing mercy. As God is the Father of mercy, show yourselves to
be his childrenby being like him. Show mercy to others.
(vi.) Fear God ( Obedience to God's word and Practice of same)
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, (Prov.9:10). It is the fear o f God that will
prompt you to worship Him in spirit and truth and with true loyalty.

The condition for obtaining the mercy of God is simple, just and reasonable. The Lord
does not require us to do some grievous thing in order that we may obtain his mercy.



9

B. Steps to obtain divine favour which we can find in the book of Jas 4:7-9
Submit to God
Resist the devil and he will flee from you
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you
- Seek God with all your heart with all your mind, with all your soul
Cleanse your hands (Spiritual cleansing) 1 J ohn 3:3 "Everyone who has this hope in
him purifies himself, just as he is pure." (NIV)
Purify your heart (repent for being double-minded)
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord with:
Confession
Repentance
Contrition
Weeping for our sins {Psalm 51; Acts 3:19; Col.2:14}.
Luke 11:9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you." (NIV).

11. Conclusion
The tender mercy of our God moves Him to provide salvation for those who are
in desperate need. The mercy of God is new every morning. The mercy of the Lord is a
much spoken subject in the Word of God that it appears in the Bible for over 250 times.
The central importance of God's mercy to the existence of man and his salvation cannot
be overemphasized in Christendom. Evidently and conclusively in this Bible Study, we
submit that the master key to the attraction of God's mercy is wisdom. Wisdom means
knowledge of God's word with understanding and practical obedience to follow the
detects and provisions of the WORD through total submission. Let us go back to the
purpose that God has given us to achieve or do and graciously desire to do them with
the fear of God, because the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Prov.9:10).
Wisdom =SIG
2
MAP
2
J ames 3:17. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not
consumed, because his compassions fail not, (Lamentations 3:22).
Capstone Recommendation: Worship (APLOT) {Mthw 22:37; Mk 12:29-30. Deut.
6:5; Deut. 28:47, J on 4:24}; Christ-like (LJ PLGGFMT - Gal. 5:22-23; J on 15:2, 16);
Service {(SHAPE) Mthw 22:39; Lev.19:18. Exod. 23:25}; Fellowship (CO&CG) Acts
2:42; Heb.10:25; 2Cor.13:14; Psalm 23:6); Evangelism (Self testimony, sharing of the
goodness and benefits of salvation) {Rev.12:11; Ps 119:46; Psalm 22:22; Mthw 28:19;
Lk 24:47; Acts 1:8; Isa 43:10; 1Cor.9:16b}. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne
of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need, ( Hebrews
4:16). Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of J esus our
Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,
through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, (2 Peter 1:23).
Derivative Implications: The grace of the Lord J esus Christ, and the love of God, and
the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all; Amen (2 Cor. 13:14).
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in
the house of the Lord forever; Amen, (Psalm 23:6).


10


References

Davies, J. M. (1995): The Epistles to the Corinthians. Bombay: Gospel Literature Service.

Enyioko, N.C. (2012): The Healing Power in the Word of God. London: Kindle
Publishers.

Holy Bible KJV/NLT

Microsoft Encarta 2007. 1993-20076 Microsoft Corporation.