Why is God's mercy crucial for salvation?

In the realm of salvation, God's mercy is the means by which He chooses to save some from the impending judgment due to sin. As illustrated in Genesis 19, Lot was saved from destruction purely by God's mercy, demonstrating that salvation is not based on human merit but rather God's sovereign and gracious choice. This concept ties deeply into the understanding of grace being unearned and freely given, reinforcing that mercy cannot exist without justice having been addressed first. The balance of mercy and justice shows that even when God extends grace, He does so while fully maintaining His righteousness. Hence, biblical salvation ultimately rests on recognizing our dire need for God's mercy, which was fulfilled in Christ.