Eternal salvation is made possible because of God’s mercy. The mercy of God is God not giving us what we all deserve which most assuredly speaks of eternal condemnation. “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not” (Lam. 3:22). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). “For the wages of sin is death…” (Rom. 6:23a). “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Rev. 20:14; cf. 21:8). But, the Father of mercies (2 Cor. 1:3) who is rich in mercy (Eph. 2:4) and of tender mercy (Jas. 5:11) extends his mercy to all but his mercy is conditional. “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him” (Ps. 103:11). The New Testament teaches this too. “And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation” (Luke 1:50). God’s mercy of salvation is given to those who will submit and do his will. Faithful Christians have obtained God’s mercy (1 Pet. 2:9-10).
Eternal salvation is made possible because of God’s grace. The grace of God is God giving us what we do not deserve which most assuredly speaks of eternal salvation. Salvation cannot be earned but is God’s gift for humble obedience. “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23b). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:2). “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 5:21). God’s grace of eternal salvation has been extended under every dispensation of man [Patriarchal (Gen. 6:8); Mosaic (Ex. 33:12-13); Christian (Eph. 2:8)], because every accountable person has sinned and were not able to save themselves (Eccl. 7:20; Rom. 3:23). God’s grace is intended for all (John 3:16; Heb. 2:9), but is extended through the gospel (Acts 20:24; Rom. 1:16), and only given to those who obey the gospel (Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim. 1:9-10).
Noah obtained grace and mercy when he obeyed God. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8). “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he” (Gen. 6:22). “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (Heb. 11:7; cf. Rom. 10:17).
