"And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."

-1 John 5:11

God being gracious and merciful gives the free gift of eternal life to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. We find in Scripture "for by grace you have been saved by faith," which is "according to His mercy." Being gracious, God gives us what we do not deserve, nor could we ever earn: forgiveness, righteousness and eternal life. Being merciful, He withholds what we do deserve: condemnation, death and eternal hell. Therefore, "the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Of all the attributes of our Holy God, we would be hopeless and helpless without His mercy and grace. With them we have all that we need for eternity. It should bring joy to our hearts to read that "the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful" and "the Lord is gracious". May more and more people across this world be convicted of their sin, see their need for Christ and experience freely, His mercy and grace. Be encouraged!

References: 1 John 5:11; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 6:23; James 5:11; Psalm 111:4