God that Shows Mercy Romans 9:16

Paul the apostle told the people in Rome concerning Rebecca's sons, “The elder shall serve the younger”, and he added, “as it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Paul questioned, “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God?”, and he answered “God forbid”, and he answered, “For he said to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. In chapter nine and verse sixteen of Romans, Paul told his readers, “God that shows mercy” where we read:

So then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy.

The verse begins, “So then it is not of him that wills, ...” Paul began with the words, “so then it is not” which means “therefore it is in no way” “of him” which means “pertaining to a certain person” “that wills” or “who has in mind, resolves, determines, purposes and desires”. Paul told his readers the person's “desire and resolve” is not the determining factor for God's “mercy”.

The verse continues, “... nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy. ” Paul continued with the words, “nor of him” which means “not and in no way pertaining to the certain person” “that runs” which means “”who spends their strength in performing or attaining something or incurs extreme peril which requires the exertion of all their effort to overcome”, “but” or “nevertheless, notwithstanding, moreover and” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “that shows mercy” which means “who helps one who is afflicted, seeks aid and brings aid to the wretched”. Paul included those who “use their strength to perform, attain or incur something” as futile effort, and yet, it was God who demonstrated “pity and compassion” upon people.

When we think through upon these words of Paul, we see how a person's “desire” and “effort” are not what brings about the “mercy and compassion” of God. God shows His “mercy” upon whom He desires, and He is “compassionate” to whomever He wills. God initiates His “mercy and compassion” through His Son Jesus, and those who receive Him as their “Savior and Lord” shall know the “mercy and compassion” of God. It is God who “shows mercy”, and no amount of works or desire from a person shall ever be able to obtain it. Those who are wise shall accept God's provision of “mercy” through His Son Jesus, and those who are not shall “will” and “run” to no avail.

Next time we see Paul tell his readers what the scriptures, “said unto Pharoah”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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