Other People Deserve Mercy Too!

28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. 

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
    or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him
    that he might be repaid?”

36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11)

Paul has just been through a deep discussion on the relationship of Jews and Gentiles as it has to do with the Gospel.  But the bottom line is really quite simple: we are all sinful and need salvation.  How God works is His business (but as the final verses say, His plan is quite glorious!). What we need to realize is that everyone needs compassion and mercy, and if we have been recipients of the mercy of God, we should know what it is like, and be willing to show mercy to others as God has to us.  How dare we be so selective in whether to show mercy toward others!  God has a glorious plan; let's not be obstacles in the way of it. Let us be vessels of His mercy.