Articles
Okay, it’s unconditional and it’s conditional
Not knowing what this article is about, you might already conclude that there must be a contradiction. I mean, can something really be unconditional and conditional at the same time? The answer is yes when you are talking about God’s grace and mercy. Let’s first establish the fact that it is unconditional.
Grace and mercy are for all people
There is no question that our God is NOT a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). Our Father is faithful and just (I Jn. 1:9). To offer grace and mercy to a select group of people goes against the very nature of God. Our Creator is the essence of love because He is love (I Jn. 4:8). This was clearly demonstrated when Jesus was sent to save everyone in the world (Jn. 3:16). When anyone on earth shows any sort of favoritism, it is condemned by the Lord (Lk. 15:1-7; Jas. 2:1-4).
Since our God is not a hypocrite, He is not going to condemn the actions of people if He is doing the same. The fact is: our God is not willing that ANY should perish (II Pet. 3:9). This is why the gospel message is to be preached to everyone (Mk. 16:15). As we can see, this grace and mercy that has been given is for each and every person meaning it is unconditional across the board. It doesn’t matter if you are a man or woman, rich or poor, or a nice or wicked person. However, we need to understand the other side of this.
Grace and mercy are not given to all people
Now, how can grace and mercy be for all people, and yet, not given
to all people? The reason is that grace and mercy are conditional. How can I say that? For the simple reason that not everyone is going to be saved (Matt. 7:13-14; 21-23). Grace is a gift that is given undeserved. Mercy is not giving someone what they truly deserve. No one deserves heaven and because all have sinned (Rom. 3:23), all deserve to be lost.
So, how are grace and mercy conditional? The answer is that man must obey the gospel and be faithful until death (Rom. 6:17; Rev. 2:10). Jesus died for everyone. Therefore, everyone should appreciate what He did and come to Him (Matt. 11:28-30). Sadly, the majority of the world does not obey Him. This doesn’t mean that grace and mercy was not offered to them. It is wrong to assume that grace and mercy means that God will overlook transgression.
Faith and works do not nullify grace and mercy
Those who struggle with the idea of grace and mercy think that if you have to do anything then it really isn’t grace and mercy. The text of Ephesians 2:9 says not of works lest anyone should boast. Does this mean that everyone will be saved? Of course not. The Ephesian text said we are saved by grace through faith (vr. 8). But faith without works is dead (Jas. 2:26). Those who walk by faith, doing what they are told (Rom. 10:17), are not earning grace and mercy. It would be earned if we could do anything more than Jesus coming and dying for our sins. The truth is that there is nothing we can do that would even come close to the grace and mercy that is offered.
It will always be the least we can do
Even if we do all that we are commanded to do (please note that we are commanded to do things), we are still to say we are unprofitable servants doing only that which was our duty (Lk. 17:10). It does seem rather odd that anyone would reject the gift that is offered that one does not deserve. Equally, it is odd that one would reject a gift of not giving us what we actually deserve when we have been wrong. Many simply don’t like the idea that grace and mercy, while being offered to all, are conditional.
