Jude and the Meaning of Mercy

In Jude, the next to last book of the BIBLE, the writer asks GOD for mercy on the reader. It may surprise you to learn that the word “mercy” in the BIBLE, doesn’t just mean having pity or excusing someone from punishment; it means “covenant-loyalty”. Asking GOD for mercy is reminding HIM of the promises HE has made to us in HIS covenant – the New Testament contract between GOD and man. In other words, GOD guarantees that HE will remain loyal and stick to HIS part of the bargain if we stick to ours.

The NT Greek word “éleos” is the word often translated as “mercy” in English language BIBLES. It is related to the OT Hebrew word “ḥesed” - which also means "covenant-loyalty”. Psalms 18:20-27 "Covenant-loyalty” or “mercy” has always indicated that the relationship between man and GOD is conditional, ie, GOD will fulfill HIS promises if man is obedient.

Why is this so important?

Because although the BIBLE teaches that GOD’s promises are conditional, much of the modern church teaches that the promises are unconditional (especially the promise of salvation).

Hence, one of the most dangerous false teachings in the modern church is the doctrine of “unconditional eternal security” or “once saved always saved (OSAS)”. OSAS teaches that once you make a commitment to GOD, no matter what else you do after that, you will still be saved and go to heaven. In reality, OSAS (also known as greasy grace) is a license to sin.

In his warning about false teachers, Jude makes exactly this point regarding grace:

…certain individuals, whose condemnation (damnation) was written about long ago, have secretly slipped in among you (the church). They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Jud 1:4 Jude goes on to cite several examples of GOD judging those who refused to obey: the unfaithful Israelites who were saved out of Egypt, the angels who rebelled in heaven, and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah who rebelled on earth. Jud 1:5-7

OSAS opposes the BIBLE's teaching on the conditionality of GOD’s promises to say that man does not have to keep his end of the bargain – that man does not have to obey in order to obtain mercy (the promise of salvation) from GOD.

Therefore, it isn’t surprising that modern Christians often (incorrectly) use the words grace and mercy interchangeably. But as you see above, they are actually two different things. Grace can be seen as GOD’s general blessing on all mankind; including the offer of salvation. Mercy, the fulfillment of GOD’s promises, including salvation, is conditional based on us sticking to our part of the “contract”.