This past Sunday I preached about God’s heart for us. We looked at Ephesians 2:4-5 which says, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved.” Three words describe God’s heart for us:
Mercy – We deserve judgment and wrath and condemnation because of our sins, but God gives us mercy. We who were dead, helpless, unworthy rebels have received mercy from almighty God. And his mercy isn’t stingy or small, but overflowing – God is “rich in mercy.”
Love – How do we account for his mercy? The answer is his great love. And how did God show his love? He showed it by sending his Son for our salvation (John 3:16). Jesus showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners, he suffered and died for us (Romans 5:8). We didn’t deserve it, but Jesus did it. He died that we who were dead might have a new life. That is great love!
Grace – God saves us by his grace – his free undeserved favor. It is free – you can’t buy it or work for it. It is undeserved – you can never earn it or do enough good things to merit it. And it is this grace alone that saves us. Without his grace we are dead. By his grace we are made alive.
Mercy. Love. Grace. This is God’s heart for us. And this is our salvation!
Brian J. Mikul 
Amen!
internetelias.wordpress.com
Hi,
Thanks for your comments on my blog!
It is truly amazing how God’s character is that of mercy, love, and grace. It is what shows the world that our God is the One True God – for we have a personal, intimate, and loving God.
We must also realize that for mercy to even exist, there must be a righteous wrath. The wrath which we deserve is diverted onto Christ on the cross, out of God’s love – giving us the fruit of His mercy – which is in our salvation and then in our sanctification as we walk more and more according to His will.
Ironically, today – I wrote two posts on mercy on my own blog! Feel free to check them out, when you have time.
Also, I will pray for your ministry in Michigan – I read your “About You” section. Thank you for your ministry and for your blog!
God bless.