Why Do Many Not Choose Mercy?

© 2018 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, they died spiritually.  The first evidence of this was that they hid from Him.

“And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:7‑8)

Because they had died spiritually, this was the only response their fallen wills could desire.  God’s Apostle Paul, speaking to Adam and Eve’s descendents, expressed it this way.

“There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:11‑12)

Yet Scripture clearly tells us that God will reward those who diligently seek Him in faith.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

But how can this happen if their hearts are dead and their fallen natures estranged from such desires?  God makes it clear that only His choice to quicken a heart will enable it to seek mercy.

“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.  …  Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” (Romans 9:15‑18)

Those to whom God shows mercy are made alive by His Spirit.  All others are allowed to freely pursue the Godless desires of their own hard hearts and fallen wills.  The fallen angels also act this way but God never chose to offer them salvation. (see Jude 1:6)

Without seeking mercy through Jesus Christ the Lord, and His sacrificial death, you can’t be saved.

If God’s Holy Spirit empowers you to seek His mercy, thank Him, and trust Him forever!

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