The Bible tells us that salvation is by Grace ALONE! Grace is unmerited favor, or receiving something that you did not ear or deserve. It is an act of the will, grace is the choice, and mercy is the action that grows out of grace. Jeremiah 31:3 is directed specifically at the people of Israel, but it includes those who have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We must understand that God freely binds himself to us to be our God, and He binds us to himself as our God. God is not forced to show us grace, He does so freely. No longer is God our enemy: He stands with us against our real enemies so effectively that “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). We must recognize that all this is possible because of the Work of Jesus Christ, not because of our goodness (Titus 3:5). Because God’s grace is free, and based on His choice: He does not love us more when we are good, and less when we are sinful, this is not an excuse to sin, but is a example of His commitment to us. Throughout the Bible we can see that God chooses people, and they do not ear that choice, they are simply chosen or His reasons and His purposes. People Like Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, Ruth, David, Mary, and many others are chosen by God, not because they were anything special in and of themselves, they became special because of What God did in and through them. Today, we are chosen by God, for His reasons, not because of our goodness, or actions, but because of His grace. That grace will change our lives, and conform us into the image of His Son! We must accept that grace with humble and joyful gratitude.