Does God’s Mercy Alone Decide?

Hi all,

Should we just rely on God's mercy, or does the Bible teach us more?

Romans 9:16 says, “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” At first glance, this verse seems to suggest that our actions and efforts don’t matter because everything depends on God’s mercy. Sounds comforting, right? But here’s the problem: other parts of the Bible clearly say that what we do matters a lot. Let me explain using some verses that seem to contradict this idea.

Before you continue reading, let's go through the apparent contradictory verses of Romans 9:16 here:

https://www.polarbible.com/Romans-9:16.htm

First up is James 2:24: “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” This verse makes it clear that faith alone isn’t enough—you need actions too. Imagine a kid who says they believe they can ride a bike but never actually gets on it. Would they ever learn? Of course not. Belief is important, but it has to be paired with action.

Then we have Proverbs 14:23: “In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.” In simple terms, hard work pays off, and just talking about what you want doesn’t get you anywhere. Think about planting a garden. If you dream of having beautiful flowers but never plant seeds, water the soil, or pull weeds, nothing will grow. Action is essential.

And here’s another one: Galatians 6:7 says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” This verse basically says you get back what you put in. It’s like throwing a ball at a wall—the harder you throw, the faster it bounces back. If you work hard and make good choices, you’ll see good results. If you don’t, well… you get the idea.

Now, compare that with Romans 9:16. At first, it sounds like we don’t need to try because it’s all up to God’s mercy. But let’s be real: does that make sense? Imagine a student who doesn’t study for a test, hoping the teacher will just pass them out of kindness. That’s not how it works. A good teacher rewards effort, just like God rewards the choices and actions we make.

Here’s another analogy: imagine you’re rowing a boat across a lake. Romans 9:16 might seem to say, “Don’t worry about rowing; if God wants, the wind will push you across.” But what if the wind doesn’t blow? If you don’t row, you’re not going anywhere. Verses like James 2:24 and Galatians 6:7 are more like saying, “Pick up the oars, row with all your might, and trust God to guide your path.”

God’s mercy is real, but it’s not a replacement for our efforts—it works with them. Think of mercy like sunlight. Sunlight helps plants grow, but if you don’t plant seeds or water them, there’s nothing for the sunlight to help. Our actions—our “works”—are the seeds we plant. Mercy alone isn’t enough without effort.

It’s also worth noting that working hard isn’t about earning God’s love. God loves us no matter what, just like a parent loves their child. But just like parents expect their kids to clean up their room or do their homework, God wants us to take responsibility for our choices and actions. It’s not about earning His love—it’s about living the way He wants us to.

Life is full of examples of how actions lead to results. Practice the piano every day, and you’ll improve. Plant seeds in a garden, and you’ll grow flowers. Make good choices, and you’ll see good outcomes. Faith and effort go hand in hand, like two sides of the same coin.

In the end, Romans 9:16 might suggest, “Don’t worry about rowing the boat; God will do it for you.” But the rest of the Bible teaches us that God wants us to pick up the oars and row. If we don’t, we’re not going anywhere, no matter how much mercy He shows us.

So, what do you think? Does Romans 9:16 stand on its own, or does it need to be balanced with verses like James 2:24, Proverbs 14:23, and Galatians 6:7? Personally, I think the Bible is clear: our actions matter. God’s mercy is there to guide and support us, but it’s up to us to do our part. Let me know your thoughts!

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it!