You need to see God's mercy. What does God's mercy look like? God shows us mercy at the cross, where Jesus died for our sins. "So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy" (Romans 9:16). God's mercy was fully revealed at the cross of Jesus.
The man who does not understand the cross of Jesus, says, "A man dying on a cross centuries ago has nothing to do with my life." The believer, transformed by the mercy of God, says, "God shows mercy for me as a sinner at the cross of Jesus."
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. God shows mercy for all who believe. "According to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:5).
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" (Luke 18:13). The self-righteous man sees no need for God's mercy. The man who confessed to being a sinner asked God for mercy. He sees God's mercy as his only hope for sinners. When you see Christ crucified, you see God's mercy.
