Why is dependence on God's mercy important for Christians?

For Christians, recognizing and depending on God's mercy is foundational to the faith. As seen in John 5, the crippled man’s inability to help himself illustrates our own spiritual condition. We are all spiritually impoverished, and our salvation rests entirely on God's initiative and grace. This dependence leads us to a deeper understanding of the gospel, where we realize that we cannot earn God's favor through our works. Instead, our brokenness and need for Christ position us to receive His mercy, resulting in spiritual wholeness and restoration. It is this humility before God that brings true peace and assurance of salvation.