The concept of God's mercy being available to all is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the boundless compassion and grace of God towards humanity. This divine attribute is not limited by ethnicity, social status, or past transgressions, but is extended to all who seek it with a repentant heart.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding God's mercy as an integral part of His character. In Exodus 34:6-7, God reveals Himself to Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin." This passage highlights the enduring nature of God's mercy, which is not confined to a specific group but is available to all who turn to Him.

The Psalms frequently celebrate God's mercy. Psalm 145:9 declares, "The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made." This verse emphasizes the universal scope of God's mercy, extending to all creation. Similarly, Psalm 103:8-12 speaks of God's mercy in terms of forgiveness and redemption, illustrating His willingness to remove transgressions from those who fear Him.

Prophetic Assurance

The prophets also affirm the availability of God's mercy. In Isaiah 55:7, the prophet calls for repentance, promising that God "will have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon." This invitation to receive mercy is extended to all who forsake their wicked ways and return to the Lord.

Jonah's mission to Nineveh further exemplifies this theme. Despite being a foreign and sinful city, Nineveh receives God's mercy upon repentance, as seen in Jonah 3:10: "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them."

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament reveals the fullness of God's mercy through the life and work of Jesus Christ. In the Gospels, Jesus embodies divine mercy, reaching out to sinners, the marginalized, and the afflicted. In Matthew 9:13, Jesus states, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice," underscoring the priority of mercy in His ministry.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, emphasizes that God's mercy is available to all through faith in Christ. Romans 10:12-13 affirms, "For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" This passage highlights the inclusivity of God's mercy, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries.

Ephesians 2:4-5 further illustrates this truth: "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved." Here, Paul attributes salvation to God's mercy, available to all who believe.

Universal Invitation

The Book of Revelation concludes the biblical narrative with an invitation to all to partake in God's mercy. Revelation 22:17 extends the call: "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let the one who hears say, 'Come!' And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely." This invitation signifies the open access to God's mercy for all who seek it.

Throughout Scripture, the consistent message is that God's mercy is not restricted by human limitations. It is a divine gift, offered freely to all who approach God with humility and faith, demonstrating His unwavering love and compassion for all creation.