304. Saved by Mercy
Titus 3:5a Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us….
God saved us according to His mercy. The promise is that we are saved, but the great news is that we are saved according to His mercy. It is good news for us that salvation is not by works of righteousness that we have done. It would be bad news if salvation were by works, for then we would be without comfort or security. We know that we cannot trust in our works. Not only are there not enough works of righteousness to save us, but there are not really any. We are doomed. But the promise means that our salvation depends completely upon God, and not at all upon me, who I am or what I’ve done.
But we can trust in the mercy of God. If God were not merciful I would have no hope, but God is Mercy; therefore I know I am saved. And the promise is as certain as God. Mercy is absolutely essential for any human being to exist. We are only alive by the mercy of God. We are alive eternally only by the mercy of God. Without mercy we would be left to the Justice of God—and that’s death.
Mercy is not justice. Mercy is not fair. But with God the mercy is just and fair because all sin has been justly judged at the cross of Christ. The wages of sin is death; the death of Christ completely paid the infinite price. Therefore, God’s justice is satisfied and so He can and He will for Christ’s sake have mercy on the sinner. No one can say God’s mercy is not fair or just. Nothing in us or about us can properly move God to have mercy; He would violate His own Justice. But the death of Christ makes the mercy of God available and abundant to all.
The Christian, who accepts the death of Christ as his own death, lays rightful claim to the mercy of God. And this mercy from God is unlimited; there is no end to the mercy; it cannot be used up. Sin is infinite, for God is infinite, and the mercy of God is infinite. It covers a multitude (all) of our sins. We receive mercy abundantly every day, as His mercies are new every morning. By Mercy we are saved; by Mercy we live every minute; by Mercy we live joyously and abundantly. No matter what happens, no matter what we do, and no matter what others do to us we can always count on the mercy of God. And finally, because we have received salvation and forgiveness according to God’s mercy we can have mercy on other people, whatever the offense or trespass.