God - Rich In Mercy

Ephesians 2:1–7 (ESV)

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

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—

and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Rich In Mercy

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses...

These verses testify to the mercy of God in salvation:

Verses 1-3 tell us why we need saving: were were spiritually dead

Verses 5-6 tell us how God did the saving: God made us alive

These verse speak to the problem and God’s solution:

Verses 1-3 speak to the problem

Verses 5-6 are the solution

Verse 4 speaks to the heart of these passages - God is not poor, He is rich in mercy.

Micah 7:18 ESV

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.

Note the word describing God’s state of rich in mercy - being

Ephesians 2:4 (ESV)

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

Ephesians 2:4 (NKJV)

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

Ephesians 2:4 (CSB)

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us,

God is not becoming rich in mercy - He is rich in mercy. It is not an aspiration of God but a state of God.

This is why He delights in mercy (Micah 7:18)

Micah 7:18 ESV

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.

If God was becoming merciful who is to say it is enough? But if His person is rich in mercy is simply for God to be who He is.

The only question here is who is God rich in mercy to?

Dead People

Ortlund says, Christ was sent not to mend wounded people or wake sleepy people or advise confused people or inspire bored people or spur on lazy people or educate ignorant people, but to raise dead people.

Christ was not sent to sick people, or morally misled people - He was sent to dead people who are called “sons of disobedience.”

This is people who refused to believe, who rejected the Christian message.

This is used in Acts 14:2

Acts 14:2 ESV

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

The people in Ephesian 2 are religious rebels - not merely religiously misguided people.

Because God is rich in mercy He does not reject even religious rebels

People Needing Mercy

What is mercy? It is kindness and compassion that flows from one to another.

Titus 2:11–12 ESV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

When we see Jesus we see what mercy looks like - it is clothed in One who calls Himself gentle and lowly, and a friend of sinners.

How Should This Change My Life?

I should not fear to go to God

I do not need to fear being rejected by God - He has said whoever comes to Him will not be cast out.

I should not fear to seek God

I should not think that God will somehow find out about me and pounce on me; He calls me to see Him while He is near in Isaiah 55.

I should not fear to confess my sins to God

We have the promise in 1 John 1:9 that

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We must not doubt who God i but take Him at His Word as found in His Word.