But God who is rich in mercy for His great love … the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesian 2:4,7 KJV
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love … the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. NASB
Ephesians 2 is familiar ground for the preacher of the gospel, the worshiper, and the student of Scripture. Bursting like a ray of warming sunshine after the dark background painted in verses 1-3, the mercy, love, and grace of God flood the vision and the soul. Few words can rival in import, the short yet wondrous expression which begins verse 4 in our authorized version: “But God!”
What is thrilling to see in not only the divine intervention but the superlatives to which the Spirit of God resorts in telling us of this intervention. It is not only mercy but “His great mercy;” not only did He love us, but it is “His great love wherewith He loved us.” Not only has He displayed grace, not only is it great grace, but it is “the exceeding riches of His grace. “
God has acted out of the wealth of the glory of His being. No external force or compulsion moved Him. Apart from His mercy, love, and grace, we would be mired in the tragic condition of “dead in trespasses and sins” and we would be “walking according to the course of this age.” And then there would be an eternal night!
But God! He has moved in His great mercy to first provide salvation, and then to “quicken us together with Christ.” Added to that He has raised us together with Him and seated us in heavenly places “in Christ.” Mercy, love, and grace have all been operative in His dealings with us.
In the Garden, Satan’s attack was not only on the woman, but it was ultimately on the character of God. If you will allow me a paraphrase, “Your God is not good and kind. If He were, you would have access to that tree. He is not very kind at all.” God’s very character was impugned by the one who is a liar from the beginning.
Notice now what Paul goes on to show us: “that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us.” God has vindicated His character in His great work of salvation. He has proven in an unmistakable manner that He is kind, that He is good. The cost to God to display this was beyond measure, His Son. But He has revealed Himself and His goodness; they will be on eternal display for all to see. We will be God’s exhibit A to a wondering universe as evidence of the essential goodness of God’s person.
Now add to this the willingness of a Son to come, endure a life of reproach and dishonor, privation and pain, and a cross of shame and suffering. All this He did, not only to save us but to vindicate His Father’s Name and character. Such is His love for the Father, that nothing was too onerous a work to honor Him.
The lie of Satan has been exposed; the heart of God has been revealed. A Son has brought all to light for us to worship.
Consider:
What else did Satan suggest in the Garden which the work of the cross refutes?