Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills and who He wills He hardens. Rom. 9:18
The element of mercy of God or wrath of God on a person does not depend on the degree of good or evil in a man, it is purely God’s sovereign will. He chooses to display His glory according to His pleasure and purpose. His freedom of electing to show mercy, displays His righteousness, for the glory of His name.
In Romans 9, Paul quoted the example, of how God hardened the heart of Pharoah so that God’s glory and power are being displayed in the redemption of Israelites, His children. So then, is God unfair in choosing one for mercy and the other for wrath? Is God unfair in punishing Jesus on the cross? Absolutely not! It is His act of judgment to save the undeserved. He extended His mercy on the cross to all those who trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
When we repent and turn to Jesus from our evil ways, He offers us forgiveness and eternal salvation. He extends His mercy unto us, not because we are good nor does it make us better than anybody else, it is purely the mercy of God. May the Lord help us not to reject this mercy, but to receive it by trusting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. If we have already accepted the offer of mercy, may we ever not take this for granted, for a huge price was paid on the cross for our sake.
Have a Blessed Day!