Unlimited: The Objects Of God's Mercy

Unlimited: The Objects of God’s Mercy

Mar 22, 2023 632

…to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— 24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? (Romans 9:23b–24).

Here, the apostle Paul refers to us – you and me – as the objects of God’s mercy. An “object” is someone who receives the action of another. This is a simple way of describing how salvation works: God does the saving, and we accept it. You have been prepared in advance for glory. You have been called. You have received mercy.

However, there is another layer to the Greek word for “objects” here. It means an implement or utensil. This conveys the idea that God pours out his mercy upon us so that we may then become his instruments of mercy in the lives of others.

We are the objects of God’s mercy.

The calling of God is not only to those who are from the Jews, but also to those who are of the Gentiles, to whom most of us belong. This is Paul’s message here.

This is the first time in this chapter in which Paul mentions us: the Gentiles. Until this point in the chapter, Paul has been speaking to his fellow Jews. The point that Paul is making is that God can work through both Jews and Gentiles. He shows no preference, as he emphasised earlier in his epistle (Rom. 2:11.)

Paul refers to “the objects of his mercy… even us”. That means you as well!

Spiritual Application

Can you think of a time in your life when you know you were particularly an object of God’s mercy? Let that allow you to enter into a time of grateful reflection on how God has lovingly led you throughout your life.

– Eliezer Gonzalez

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