If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
2 Timothy 3:13
Perhaps the most challenging idea in biblical Christianity for new believers to grasp is the dual concept of God's grace and mercy. The ideas that God always loves us and always forgives us are hard to embrace at first.
Recommended Reading:
Psalm 136
The grace of God means He blesses us when we don't deserve it, and the mercy of God means He doesn't punish us when we do deserve it. The mercy of God is a dominant theme in the Old Testament. The phrase, "His mercy endures forever," occurs 41 times—26 times in Psalm 136 alone. God's grace and mercy are reflections of His character, specifically His faithfulness. It is impossible for God to be unfaithful. Even when we are unfaithful, "He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." Therefore, God can never be ungracious or unmerciful. His grace and mercy flow continually from His character, regardless of our behavior. There is nothing we can do to earn God's faithfulness, nor is there anything we can do to lose it (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The next time you are less than faithful, don't spend a second doubting God's love or forgiveness. He has made you the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Measure your growth in grace by your sensitiveness to sin.
