Connect Romans 11:32 with Ephesians 2:4-5 on God's mercy and grace. God’s surprising plan in Romans 11:32 “For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone.” • “All” have the same diagnosis—disobedience. • The binding is purposeful: God is positioning the entire human race to be recipients of mercy. • No room for boasting; every heart stands equally needy. Mercy on display in Ephesians 2:4-5 “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!” • “Rich in mercy” echoes Romans 11:32—God’s heart moves toward the helpless. • We were “dead,” not merely sick; mercy acts while we’re powerless. • Grace is the mode of rescue: undeserved favor that raises the spiritually dead. How the two passages connect • Romans 11:32 shows the universal problem; Ephesians 2:4-5 shows the personal solution. • Mercy addresses our misery (disobedience and death). • Grace provides new life and standing with God. • Together they reveal both the justice of consigning all to disobedience and the kindness of offering life to all who believe. Supporting Scriptures that echo the theme • Romans 3:23-24 — “All have sinned … and are justified freely by His grace.” • Titus 3:5-7 — “He saved us … according to His mercy … so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs.” • 1 Peter 2:10 — “Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” • Lamentations 3:22-23 — “The LORD’s compassions never fail; they are new every morning.” Mercy and grace in practical terms • Mercy: God does not give us the judgment we deserve. • Grace: God gives us the life, status, and inheritance we could never earn. • Both flow from “His great love” and meet us precisely where Romans 11:32 says we are—bound in disobedience. Living in the light of these truths • Humility—remembering we bring nothing but need. • Confidence—resting in God’s unchanging character: rich in mercy, lavish in grace. • Compassion—showing the same mercy and grace to others that we’ve received. |
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