I’m working with Ephesians 2:4-7 for Sunday’s sermon. In verse 4 Paul seems to describe the motivation of God in saving sinners to be his mercy and his love for us. In verse 7 it seems to be the desire of God to magnify his grace throughout eternity.

Perhaps sense is made of this by seeing the first as a motivation and the second as a purpose.

God is motivated to save sinners because he is merciful and loving. He loves those he has made and desires to save the lost. At the same time, the purpose behind God’s actions is to magnify his glory. 

Put another way, God saves us because he loves us in order that we might glorify him.

His purpose stands higher than his motivation. This is why not everyone goes to Heaven even though God loves everyone. To accomplish his purpose of being glorified all of his character must be displayed, his grace and his mercy. As such some will be saved and some will be damned. Judgment is just, delivered based on the sins of the unbeliever, while salvation is only by grace, delivered based on the good pleasure of God.