According to His mercy

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. – Titus 3.3-7

In Paul’s time many people thought, as they think today, that surely there something I can do in order to earn my way to heaven. What people forget though is just how wicked man is and just how serious a breach is between God and man – it is a gulf that no man can cross no matter how hard he tries. That in itself is an act of pride. Without humility we won’t see ourselves as in need of kindness and mercy.

God’s mercies are an endless supply – they can never run put. They are new every morning. Mercy flows from God like an abundant river overflowing its banks. I am grateful that God’s mercy bank does not run dry.

Psalm 103.8 tells us that God is merciful and gracious and slow to anger and He overflows in mercy.

If not for God’s mercy it would all have been over in the Garden of Eden. If it were not for His mercy He would have struck me dead the first time I consciously sinned. If not for His mercy He would not continue to delay His judgement. This world certainly looks like we deserve judgement today – but God continues to abound and overflow in His mercy.

God is patient. He is slow in mercy. He is holding off on His wrath. But one day the time will come for judgement. It is my task in the meantime to point folks to the mercy of God in salvation.