Yes mercy and love preceded redemption, as the scripture so plainly says -
- For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
God first loved, before anyone was redeemed.
In order for anyone to take part in God's plan of redemption, they must first believe.
Believe comes first before redemption.
- whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life
Whoever believes has everlasting life.
- How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10: 9-14
Paul asks these questions.
- How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
- And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?
So the question remains, how is someone saved without ever hearing and believing in Jesus?
JLB