What does it mean that God shows mercy on whom He wills?

When scripture states that God shows mercy on whom He wills, it emphasizes that mercy is conditional on God’s sovereign choice rather than human worthiness. This principle is central to understanding grace within the framework of salvation. As outlined in Romans 9, God freely chooses whom to extend His mercy to—these individuals are the elect. This assures us that, despite our failings and inability to seek God on our own, His mercy encompasses those whom He has purposed to save, enlightening them to their need for grace and pointing them to Christ.