Introduction:

1. We are bundling these terms in one lesson due to their close relationship.

2. God’s love generated His mercy prompting Him to save us by grace.

3. This lesson explains why He chose to reconcile us to Himself.

Discussion:

I. What It Means

A. Love: Gr. Agape: “the quality of warm regard for and interest in another” (BDAG); “to feel or manifest generous concern” (Mounce)

B. Mercy: Gr. Eleos: “kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them” (Thayer)

C. Grace: Gr. Charis: “a beneficent disposition to someone” (BDAG)

D. It has been said that grace is God giving us what we do not deserve (mercy), and mercy is God not giving us what we deserve (wrath).

II. What This Teaches Us About God and Humanity

A. Starting with humanity, we are reminded of what we have earned by our rebellion against God (Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 18:4, 20).

B. David vividly described this reality in poetic terms (Psalms 32:3-4).

C. God was well within His rights to leave us in this state, but thankfully love is as much a part of His nature as justice, righteousness, etc.

D. Notice the adjectives describing His mercy and love: rich in mercy, great love (Ephesians 2:4), exceeding riches of His grace (Ephesians 2:7).

III. How These Truths Should Shape Our Lives

A. Sadly, many try to make these truths a license to sin (Jude 4).

B. This is precisely the opposite of its intended effect (Ephesians 2:10; Romans 2:4; 6:1-2; Galatians 5:13; Titus 2:11-12; 1 Peter 2:16).

C. Knowing His treatment of us, we must extend the same to others, or we forfeit His mercy for ourselves (Matthew 18:15-35).

1. None of us is immune too sin’s devastating effects (Romans 3:23; 5:12; 1 John 1:8).

2. Thankfully, God graciously extended mercy to us because of His love.

3. Now it is incumbent upon us to do the good deeds for which He so created us in Christ and extend this grace to others (Ephesians 2:10; Luke 6:36).