But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7)
Understanding the Riches of God’s Mercy
God is rich in mercy and, through Jesus, rescued us from a position of desperate need. Six times in Ephesians, Paul praises the investment God made in every Christian. By the riches of God’s grace, we have redemption through Christ’s blood and the forgiveness of sins. Paul wants us to know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. God is rich in mercy, and in Jesus, He shows the exceeding riches of His grace. These divine riches are unsearchable, strengthening our inward person through His Spirit according to the riches of His glory.
The Divine Foundation of Love
Like a wealthy, benevolent father, God has withheld nothing to save our souls, crown us with glory, and equip us to walk in righteousness. Paul says three divine characteristics have saved us: mercy, love, and grace. Mercy means God does not give us what we deserve. Without Christ, we were children of wrath whose conduct earned condemnation. But God, in Christ, chose mercy; He does not condemn us as we deserve; He saves us. Grace means we can never deserve or earn what God does for us in Jesus Christ.
Experiencing the Riches of God’s Mercy Today
We were lost in sin, and there was no good thing we could do to remove ourselves from that condemned position. Through Christ, God redeemed us from our slavery to sin and paid a debt we could not pay. Thus, salvation is a gift we cannot deserve or earn. He shows us mercy and grace because He loves us. John wrote that the love of God was manifested toward us because He sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.
Be First to Comment