God’s Mercy vs. Man’s Condition

 

God’s Mercy vs. Man’s Condition

Eph. 2:4–5 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in offenses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”
Matt. 9:13 “Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice’; for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Rom. 9:16 “So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.”

Aspect	God’s Mercy	Man’s Condition
Meaning	God’s mercy is the deepest and farthest expression of His love, reaching man in his most unworthy, pitiful, and fallen state.	Man’s condition is fallen, poor, pitiful, unclean, powerless, and totally unworthy of God’s grace and love.
Reason	Because God is rich in mercy (Eph. 2:4), He looks upon and reaches out to save those in their lowest and most helpless condition.	Man, through sin, has fallen away from God’s image and glory, living in unbelief, corruption, and darkness (Rom. 3:23; 11:32).
Distinction	Mercy reaches the unworthy and brings them into grace; grace then supplies those who have been qualified through mercy.	Man’s condition is not even worthy to receive grace—he must first be reached by God’s mercy.
Explanation	Mercy reaches farther than grace. Love produces grace, and grace extends as mercy. Mercy is like a bridge that connects God to fallen man, bringing him into the realm of grace (Matt. 9:13; Heb. 4:16).	Man was dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1), unable to do good and under the control of sin, death, the world, and the flesh.
Purpose	To rescue man from his pitiful condition and bring him into the enjoyment of God’s grace (Eph. 2:5–7).	To expose man’s inability to reach God’s standard and to turn his hope solely to God’s mercy (Rom. 9:16).
Examples	(1) The prodigal son—his father was moved with compassion (Luke 15:20–24); mercy came first, then grace was manifested. (2) Jesus’ compassion on the blind, lepers, and sinners (Matt. 9:27; Mark 1:41). (3) Paul received mercy as the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:13–16).	(1) The prodigal feeding swine—showing man’s degraded state. (2) The tax collector beating his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner” (Luke 18:13). (3) Paul recognizing himself as the foremost sinner.
Application	We should not rely on our intention or effort, but on the God who shows mercy (Rom. 9:16). When weak or fallen, come boldly to the throne of grace to receive mercy first, then find grace for timely help (Heb. 4:16).	We must acknowledge that we are wretched, poor, blind, and naked (Rev. 3:17), not boasting in self-righteousness but seeking His mercy.
Relationship	Mercy is the lowest flow of love; grace is the expression of love. Mercy reaches man’s pitiful state and brings him into grace to know God’s love.	Man’s condition gives opportunity for God’s mercy to operate. Through man’s unbelief and failure, God displays His mercy and salvation (Rom. 11:32).
Burden	To help believers realize that even today we continually need God’s mercy in salvation, service, and growth in life.	To humble ourselves and recognize that in many aspects of life, we still need His mercy to cover and restore us.
Prophetic Word / Exhortation	Mercy is the farthest reach of God’s love. No one can boast, but say, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). We should exalt His mercy and testify how He met us in our weakness.	Encourage others to turn from self-righteousness and pride, returning to the Father as the prodigal, saying, “Father, I am not worthy,” to experience His merciful embrace.
Conclusion	God’s mercy is greater than man’s failure and reaches farther than grace. Mercy comes first to qualify us for grace, to enjoy His love and salvation.	The worse man’s condition, the more God’s mercy is magnified. Our hope lies not in ourselves but in the God who shows mercy.
Detailed Scriptures	Rom. 11:32 “For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all.” Heb. 4:16 “Let us therefore come forward with boldness to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace for timely help.” Luke 15:20–24 “…his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him… ‘For this son of mine was dead and lives again; he was lost and has been found.’ ”

 

✨ Core Summary 

God’s mercy is the bridge that connects His love to man’s fallen condition.

Man’s helplessness is the opportunity for God’s mercy to shine.

Mercy reaches us where we are, brings us into grace, and enables us to enjoy the fullness of His love.

 

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training, General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7, Part 4: Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy and will receive mercy.