Day 6: Saved Because of His Mercy
Bible passage: Titus 3:3–7; Lamentations 3:22–23; Hebrews 4:16
Mercy for Today
Today is Wednesday 3rd of April 2019. Welcome to Day 6 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Yesterday we looked at God’s justice. Today we look at His mercy.
Justice gives people what they deserve. Mercy holds back what they deserve. We might expect the two to pull against each other, but in God they never do.
The Merciful God
What We Were
Paul asks Titus to remind the believers what they used to be. We too were once foolish and disobedient. We were misled, and we became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy (Titus 3:3).
This is not a flattering picture, and Paul includes himself in it. We need to keep it in mind, because nobody values mercy who thinks they never needed it.
Why He Saved Us
Then the whole passage turns on one small word: “But”. When God our Saviour revealed His kindness and love, He saved us. And Paul tells us the reason. It was “not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Titus 3:5 (NLT)
He washed away our sins and gave us a new birth and a new life through the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ. Because of His grace we have been made right in His sight, and we have confidence that we will inherit eternal life (Titus 3:5–7).
Our salvation did not begin with our effort. It began with His mercy.
New Every Morning
Mercy did not stop on the day we were saved. Jeremiah was sitting in the ruins of Jerusalem when he wrote that the faithful love of the Lord never ends and His mercies never cease. They begin afresh each morning (Lamentations 3:22–23).
Yesterday’s mercy was enough for yesterday. There is a fresh supply for today, and it will not run out.
Coming for Mercy
Boldly
Because God is like this, we do not have to creep into His presence. Hebrews tells us to come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16).
Mercy deals with what we have done. Grace gives us what we need for what lies ahead. Both are waiting at the same throne.
Three Steps for Today
Remember. Think back to what you were before Christ, or what you would be without Him. Thank God that He saved you because of His mercy.
Receive. Where do you need mercy today? Come boldly and ask for it.
Show it. Is there someone who has not earned your kindness? Treat them today as God has treated you.
Prayer for Today:
Merciful God, thank You that You saved me, not because of anything I had done, but because of Your mercy. Thank You that Your mercies are new this morning. I come boldly to Your throne. I need Your mercy for what is behind me and Your grace for what is ahead. Make me merciful to others, as You have been to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keep going
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