Instead, love leads to mercy. Because of God's compassion for the helpless, He takes action to provide relief for them. This same classical Greek word eleos that is translated mercy can be used regarding human beings; but in the New Testament, it has a special reference to what God does in Christ. There is an inexhaustible abundance of such mercy available in God, as we just read in verses 4 and 5. This side of God's character is expressed in the description Father of mercies.
Mercy comes according to God's will. Among Paul's several images of mercy we find an emphasis on God's freedom in dispensing mercy to whom He wills. God Himself decides to whom He will extend that mercy. Here we see the direct comparison of Israel's rejection and God's justice:
The same Greek word eleos in classical Greek that is translated mercy can be used regarding human beings. But in the New Testament, it has a special reference to what God does in Christ. There is an inexhaustible abundance of such mercy available in God, as we just read in verses 4 and 5. So this side of God's character is expressed in the description Father of mercies. It is an intimate term. We should think warmly and we should think highly when the name of the Father is applied (except when it is in the Catholic religion because that is breaking the Scriptures).
Mercy comes according to God's will. Among Paul's several themes of mercy, we find an emphasis on God's freedom and dispensing mercy to whom He wills.
Compassion and mercy are an intrinsic part of the character of God and He expects us to be learning the same in the things that we suffer as living sacrifices.
As Paul showed here, this is the circle of growth that expands from Christ through all called to Him by the Father. This is an awesome plan that God is perfectly working out. Presenting ourselves as living sacrifices is another important piece that Paul has given here in God's carefully woven plan.
