Connect Ephesians 2:4 with another scripture highlighting God's love and mercy. Setting the Scene Ephesians 2 opens with a sober picture of humanity—“dead in trespasses and sins” (vv. 1–3). Verse 4 is the turning point, revealing the motive behind God’s rescue: His own boundless love and mercy. Because Scripture is literally true and historically reliable, we read these words not as poetry alone, but as the factual reason we stand spiritually alive today. Ephesians 2:4—God’s Rich Mercy on Display “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,” • Great love: not measured by our worthiness but by His character • Rich in mercy: mercy so abundant it overflows the need of every sinner • The hinge of salvation: the verse follows our hopeless state and precedes God making us alive (v. 5), showing mercy is the bridge from death to life Titus 3:4-5—The Same Love and Mercy, Another Angle “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” • Kindness appeared: God’s love stepped into history in Christ • Not by works: mercy, not merit, secures salvation • Washing and renewal: mercy cleanses and recreates, proving love is both forgiving and transforming Tracing the Common Threads • Initiated by God: Ephesians features “God…rich in mercy”; Titus highlights “God our Savior” taking the first step • Motivated by love: “His great love for us” (Ephesians 2:4) mirrors “His love for mankind” (Titus 3:4) • Expressed through mercy: both passages place mercy at the heart of salvation, declaring it greater than sin and stronger than death • Outcome—new life: Ephesians speaks of being “made alive with Christ” (v. 5); Titus describes “new birth and renewal” by the Spirit Supporting Snapshots from the Rest of Scripture • Romans 5:8 — “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” • Psalm 103:8 — “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.” • Lamentations 3:22-23 — “Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!” Living in the Reality of God’s Mercy • Confidence: If salvation rests on God’s mercy, it cannot be undone by human failure • Humility: Recognizing mercy’s cost keeps pride at bay—grace was free to us but costly to Christ • Compassion: Those who receive rich mercy are called to reflect it (Ephesians 4:32) • Hope: Fresh mercy each day (Lamentations 3:23) means no circumstance outruns God’s love The literal truth of these verses assures us that God’s love and mercy are not abstract ideas; they are the bedrock realities of our past, present, and future in Christ. |
    |