"So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs,
but of God who shows mercy."
Romans 9:16
A man said to a minister, "I know the definition of mercy, but I'm a visual type person. I need to see it. What does God's mercy look like?" The minister said, "God shows us His mercy at the cross, where His Son died for our sins." God showed His mercy to people in different ways and different times before the cross, but the full revelation of God's mercy for sinners is shown at the cross of Jesus. "Mercy there was great and grace was free."
Free grace for sinners is the mercy of God in Christ. It is free because "it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs." Man's efforts cannot compete with the mercy of God. It is God's will to save sinners everywhere, who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31). It is freely bestowed on all who believe. The self-righteous person prays, "God I thank you that I am not like other men." The sinner prays, "God be merciful to me a sinner." That sinful man is justified freely through God's mercy.
God's grace is freely given. The grace of God is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). "So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy." That gives us nothing to boast about within ourselves. However, we forever boast of God's grace freely given to us as sinners at the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord. We glory in the cross! Free grace is in Christ alone.
Are you "trying" to please God, that you may be assured of eternal salvation? Remember: "So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy." The will of man says, "I'm going to try as hard as I can to get to heaven." The will of God says, "Let Me show you My mercy." That's grace freely given to all who receive by faith alone in Christ alone.
but of God who shows mercy."
Romans 9:16
A man said to a minister, "I know the definition of mercy, but I'm a visual type person. I need to see it. What does God's mercy look like?" The minister said, "God shows us His mercy at the cross, where His Son died for our sins." God showed His mercy to people in different ways and different times before the cross, but the full revelation of God's mercy for sinners is shown at the cross of Jesus. "Mercy there was great and grace was free."
Free grace for sinners is the mercy of God in Christ. It is free because "it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs." Man's efforts cannot compete with the mercy of God. It is God's will to save sinners everywhere, who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31). It is freely bestowed on all who believe. The self-righteous person prays, "God I thank you that I am not like other men." The sinner prays, "God be merciful to me a sinner." That sinful man is justified freely through God's mercy.
God's grace is freely given. The grace of God is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). "So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy." That gives us nothing to boast about within ourselves. However, we forever boast of God's grace freely given to us as sinners at the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord. We glory in the cross! Free grace is in Christ alone.
Are you "trying" to please God, that you may be assured of eternal salvation? Remember: "So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy." The will of man says, "I'm going to try as hard as I can to get to heaven." The will of God says, "Let Me show you My mercy." That's grace freely given to all who receive by faith alone in Christ alone.
God, we trust Your mercy in Christ at the cross.
