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Issue link: http://magazine.kcm.org/i/1534102
B V O V : 5 The word mercy is similar to testament. It is a weak translation of a very powerful concept. A rendering of the Greek word agape in the New Covenant is translated love, mercy or compassion. But this really has a passive or inactive connotation or meaning. The concept of mercy can best be described by the words will love. Now, that is powerful. In essence, the person who enters into a covenant relationship with another is saying to him, "I swear in blood that I will love you forever." It has nothing to do with what the other person does or does not do. It is an oath of love. It is not in return for favors. It is forever— regardless. The Hebrew equivalent of the Greek word agape is hesed. It literally refers to the compulsion to give and to love without limit those who have no merit. That is why, in the New Testament, the English translators sometimes used the word charity. Somehow, the concept did not come across. There is so much giving involved in mercy that our English words don't really convey the full implication or significance. This concept is best seen in a covenant. The strongest Covenant we know of is that which exists between Jesus and the Church. In essence, Jesus said: "I am giving Myself to you. That includes everything I have and everything I ever will have. Everything that is Mine is yours. You have My Name, My WORD and My nature. Anyone who comes against you comes against Me. Anyone who curses you curses Me. Any enemy of yours is My enemy, as well. When you are attacked, just call upon Me and I will do whatever I must to guard, protect and rescue you." That is mercy. Keep that concept in mind because it affects the word honor. Proverbs 21:21 could be translated: "He who seeks after right-standing with God—anyone who has a Blood covenant with Him—finds life, righteousness and honor." Giving Life To Gain Life Give, give, give—not take, take, take. That's the way an honorable covenant believer must live. In order to give, we have to make ourselves Testament" of Jesus. When He died for us, we inherited His WORD, His promises. The word testament, however, does not really match the original Hebrew. It loses the most important concept. The Hebrew word translated covenant is beriyth and means "...cutting...; a compact (...made by passing between pieces of flesh)." It refers to a cut made in the flesh so that blood flows as evidence of a binding agreement between two parties. A covenant is more than a contract or a promise. It is the most binding agreement in existence, because blood is involved. It is more serious, more formal, more permanent, because it involves a blood relationship. An honorable man is one who is the same whether or not someone is looking. He is honorable toward his boss whether he is liked or not.