By mercy and truth iniquity is purged, and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil. Proverbs 16:6
When we consider David’s declaration that we were shapen in iniquity and conceived in sin, we realize the need to have our iniquity purged. To purge means to remove completely. And unless our iniquity is purged, we can have no relationship with God nor can we enter His holy habitation. Purging is not something we can do, we are weak and defiled. Only the purging that is spelled out in our text today will do.
First of all, we need mercy, because we do not deserve to have our iniquity removed. Here we see the greatness of God, in extending mercy to such undeserving wretches as ourselves. His mercy is limitless, it extended even to the provision of His only begotten Son. His mercy is unrestricted, it extends to all who will accept it. His mercy is forever, we will never exhaust or reach the time limit on God’s mercy. God’s mercy is personified in the person of Jesus Christ. As we contemplate Calvary today, we behold on the cross the Mercy of God.
Truth is also needed for purging, because all men are liars, our lips are vile. Again we turn to the Lord Jesus for One Who was not only truthful, He was also Truth. ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life’ He could say. As God, He can speak and be only truth, He cannot lie nor utter deception.
So in the Son of God we find mercy and truth. In Him, ‘Mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other.'(Psalm 85:10)
When we meet as purged worshipers, let us remember Him whose character of mercy and truth enables us to enter His presence. -Jim MacIntosh