What does the Bible say about mercy and grace?

The concept of mercy and grace is central to the gospel message in the Bible. In Titus 3:5, Paul states that we are saved 'not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to His mercy.' This highlights that salvation is entirely based on God's mercy, not our merit. Mercy is defined as God's deliberate act of showing compassion and forgiveness, while grace is His unearned favor towards us. These attributes of God are not only foundational for understanding our salvation but also underscore the relationship we have with Him; we cannot approach God based on our own righteousness because we are fundamentally flawed. Thus, the gospel reorients our understanding of acceptance before God, shifting the focus from our deeds to Christ’s work on our behalf.