We don't need to cry for mercy anymore because God has already poured out all of His mercy at the cross.
Mercy was poured out in full when Christ died, so to plead for mercy now would be asking God to do again what He has already done. The biblical response is to appropriate that finished mercy by faith—to say with Les, "Lord, I believe it." Grace, not begging, is what characterizes the believer's approach to God today.
Romans 5:8 — This verse shows that God acted in love toward sinners when Christ died, which is the event where His mercy was poured out.
2 Corinthians 5:19 — This verse declares that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting sins against them—so mercy is already fully given.
John 19:30 — Christ's cry "It is finished" marks the completion of the atonement, leaving nothing more to beg for.
The Bible declares that God's love was demonstrated when Christ died for sinners. Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Second, 2 Corinthians 5:19 states, "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." And in verse 21: "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." At the cross, Jesus Himself said, "It is finished" (John 19:30), indicating that the work of salvation was complete. The Bible presents the cross as the final satisfaction of God's judgment on sin, and the resurrection as His seal of acceptance. There is no verse instructing believers to plead for mercy after that finished work.
Les Feldick teaches that when Christ died on the cross, God not only poured out His wrath on sin, but also poured out His mercy. As a result, we are no longer living in a time when believers should cry out, "God be merciful to me, a sinner." That request is no longer appropriate because it implies God needs to do again what He has already completed. Instead, we are to appropriate by faith what is already ours. As Les says, "All we have to do is appropriate it by faith." [Clip 2] He even corrects his own terminology: "We don't cry out for mercy. We cry out and realize that all of God's mercy has already been poured out, and we merely appropriate it." [Clip 3] And there is no barrier to reaching that mercy: the door to the sheepfold is at ground level; nothing must be "prayed through." [Clip 4] The foundation of it all is grace. Grace, the unmerited favor of God, is what made it possible for Him to pour out mercy rather than wrath. [Clip 5] And because the cross already forgave every sin, God's message to the world is not "beg for forgiveness" but "you are forgiven; believe it." [Clip 6] Nevertheless, this wonderful mercy must never turn into license—"Grace is not license." [Clip 7]
Les teaches that God poured out His mercy at the cross. He did not just make mercy available—it was fully poured out. Therefore, there is no remaining mercy that needs to be begged for; it is all there. Believers simply receive it by saying, "Lord, I believe it."
No. Les says that prayer was appropriate before the cross, but today God has already poured out His mercy. To pray "God be merciful to me" would be asking God to do it again, which is unnecessary. The right response is to believe that mercy was poured out and appropriate it by faith.
According to Les, yes. Grace is that attribute of God, His unmerited favor, which makes the pouring out of His mercy possible. Because we don't deserve mercy, God's grace is what allows Him to show mercy rather than wrath. Grace precedes mercy.
No. Les is emphatic that "grace is not license." The fact that mercy has been poured out at the cross does not give someone the right to go out and steal, commit adultery, or do the things that the world thinks would put Christianity into question. Believers are brought into God's divine purpose and are His.
Romans 8:31-39 Explained — Why Nothing Can Separate You From God
road would choose to reject Him? I can't see it happening. And the reason I'm using that example, I had a fellow tell me that one time. I said, look, the Scripture says that God will never cast us out. Oh, he said, I know that. But he said, I could cast myself out. I said, how? Oh, he said, by committing some horrible sin.
Mercy Already Poured Out
Les explains that "God be merciful to me, a sinner" is not today's prayer because God already poured out His mercy at the cross; we are to appropriate that mercy by faith.
No More Begging for Mercy
Les says that God poured out wrath and mercy together at the cross, so we don't beg for mercy; we simply receive what is already there by faith.
From Crying to Believing
Les corrects the language of crying for mercy, saying that we now realize mercy is already poured out and merely say, "Lord, I believe it."
Nothing to Pray Through
Les illustrates that there is no "pray through" or difficult approach to God left; mercy has already been accomplished and the door is at ground level.
Grace Makes Mercy Possible
Les teaches that God's grace, His unmerited favor, is what made it possible for Him to pour out mercy instead of wrath.
You Are Forgiven – Believe It
Les answers a prospective question: no, we don't have to beg for forgiveness, because God has already forgiven all sin and reconciled the world to Himself.
Grace Is Not License
Les cautions that the poured-out mercy and grace do not give a believer license to sin; salvation is within God's divine purpose.
Romans 5:8: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Shows God's love and mercy were already acted out in Christ's death for sinners.
2 Corinthians 5:19: To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Proves the world has already been reconciled to God through Christ, so no further begging for mercy is needed.
John 19:30: When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Christ's own words mark the completion of the atonement, which is why we don't ask God to pour out mercy again.
No. God has already poured out all of His mercy at the cross. Asking Him to pour out mercy again is a "double take" that says, "God, You better do it again." Instead, we appropriate that mercy by faith.
Les says that prayer is not appropriate today. It was appropriate when God's mercy had not yet been fully poured out, but after the cross, we respond by believing that mercy is already ours.
Yes. Grace is God's unmerited favor; mercy is what grace makes possible. Grace allowed God to pour out mercy on mankind even though we deserve nothing.
Watch the Teaching: Romans 8:31-39 Explained — Why Nothing Can Separate You From God