Ephesians 2:4
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,”
God is love. We don't know this naturally. If we see the religions people derive from nature, they have an angry God. Jesus had to come down and make love known. "The law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ", (John 1:17).
We see the pharisees all bound up with rules. Jesus wrapped up the law in two commandments, "He answered, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself," (Luke 10:27).
This gospel spread like wild fire. It went through out the world. It is still winning people's hearts. This was what the Lord wanted, to have a people that responded to His love.
All along the way, His mercy is there. Romans 2:4 says, "Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?" Hell fire and brimstone will get our attention, but His kindness allows Him to draw us. Our fearful hearts open when we see His kindness.
All of this is very different. The world mocks Him and His followers. Hollywood depicts christians as foolish. When it's exactly the opposite. It's helpful to turn off it's message. Tune into God's Word, the bible, and go to church and hear it taught. Hear messages on the radio.
Today's passage says, "God is rich in mercy". Bill Gates is rich. He has so much money, he could buy anything. He could do this for a lot of people. The wealth this passage is referring to is God's mercy. He has much of it. So much so, we can't comprehend it. When Peter was trying to grasp Jesus' love he asked how many times we are to forgive, up to seven? Jesus' response blew him away. Seventy times seven, (Matthew 18:22). It never ends.
Jesus' point was that we aren't to keep an accounting of wrongs. We aren't told to trust them if the abuse continues, just to forgive. He explains why in Matthew 18:33, "Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?" We may feel justified in our anger, but so was God. In the toughest moments, He said, "Father, forgive them. They know not what they do." We have to let it go. In doing so, comes freedom and more blessings.
We might think this is easier said than done. That's where our rich God comes in. He gives us new hearts and at our request, He fills them. It's divine. We can't claim responsibility. Thus begins a new life. We worry not what may come, but see all as part of His plan. If we are in difficulty, it's an opportunity to trust Him. The Lord will use this to reach others.
Lord, what a privilege to be in partnership with You. Your love has done so much in and for us. You use us to reach others. Your love spreads and does good things. Thank You.