But God, being rich in mercy…
(Ephesians 2:4)
in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
(Romans 9:23-24)
he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit
(Titus 3:5)
Mercy is when that punishment which is deserved is withheld to the benefit of the object of the mercy.
God has demonstrated this attribute in abundance with respect to mankind. We, from nearly the beginning of our existence, have deserved nothing but wrath. Having sinned and fallen short of eternal life in glory, we can do nothing to commend ourselves to or defend ourselves before God. Absolutely nothing.
But thankfully, God has been so amazing in His mercy. Over and against merely having the mercy to allow us to live out our miserable lives without destroying us instantly, God has chosen us to greatness and glory by the hand of His Son. The believer finds himself in Christ and enjoys full well the fruits of God’s mercy.
For more on the fruits of God’s mercy read Tuesday’s exposition of Ephesians 2.
Other attributes we’ve discussed so far: