How do we know that God's mercy leads to salvation?

God's mercy is foundational to the doctrine of salvation in Reformed theology. Romans 9:15 affirms that God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy, signifying that His choice is sovereign and not based on human merit. The story of the Philippian jailer illustrates this principle; despite his grim circumstances, God's providence brought about his encounter with Paul and Silas, leading to his salvation. This pattern shows that God actively orchestrates events and relationships to bring individuals to Himself, highlighting His mercy as the means by which He draws sinners to repentance and faith in Christ.