Anything Less Than Hell Is Mercy
I know what I deserve.
I am not confused about that. Scripture is clear about what I am apart from Christ. I am a sinner. Not a good person who occasionally fails, but a rebel whose sin deserves death.
“The wages of sin is death.”
Romans 6:23 (LSB)
John MacArthur Study Bible note: “Wages” refers to the payment earned by a soldier. Death is the earned and just payment for sin. In contrast, eternal life is not earned but given as a free gift through Christ.
If God were to give me justice alone, my sentence would be eternal separation from Him. Hell would be the righteous verdict.
Yet that is not the end of the verse.
“But the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 (LSB)
John MacArthur Study Bible note: Eternal life is completely undeserved. It comes only through union with Christ, whose death paid the penalty sinners deserved.
Because of Jesus Christ, I am not receiving the sentence my sins deserve.
Christ stood in my place.
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 (LSB)
John MacArthur Study Bible note: Christ was sinless, yet God treated Him as if He had committed the sins of believers, placing their guilt on Him so that His righteousness could be credited to them.
That truth should silence every complaint.
And yet, if I am honest, sometimes it does not.
My life feels very hard right now. Trials pile up. Responsibilities press down. My strength feels thin. And in those moments my prayers begin to sound like pleas for a lighter sentence.
“Lord, this is too hard. I cannot do this. Please make it easier.”
But then I remember something sobering.
Anything short of eternal judgement already is a lighter sentence.
Every breath I take is mercy.
“The lovingkindnesses of Yahweh indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22–23 (LSB)
John MacArthur Study Bible note: Even in the midst of judgement, Jeremiah recognises that Israel has not received the full punishment it deserves.
Still, the flesh protests.
My heart sometimes wants to complain.
But Scripture calls me to something different.
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”
Philippians 2:14 (LSB)
John MacArthur Study Bible note: Grumbling reflects dissatisfaction with God’s providence.
Grumbling questions God’s wisdom.
Praise trusts it.
That is the battle in my heart.
One voice says, “This is too much.”
Another voice says, “Praise Him anyway.”
“I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.”
Matthew 7:23 (LSB)
John MacArthur Study Bible note: Many claim association with Christ but live lives characterised by lawlessness.
I never knew you. You say you knew Me but you lived like I never gave you My laws.
That warning humbles me.
Because Christianity is not merely saying the right words about Jesus.
It is not claiming His name while ignoring what He said.
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
John 14:15 (LSB)
John MacArthur Study Bible note: Obedience does not earn salvation, but it is evidence of genuine love for Christ.
And because of that mercy, I want the words that come out of my mouth to change.
Not complaints.
Not despairing.
But praise.
Anything less than hell is mercy.
Suggested Hymn for Reflection
Before the Throne of God Above
A hymn that reflects the truth that Christ stands before the Father as our advocate, bearing the punishment we deserved and securing mercy for all who trust in Him.
Listen below.
