[Alamo-Girl]

It is therefore presumptious to rely on mercy when there is something for us to do, -- unlike the Good Thief, we are not, generally speaking, nailed to anything.

Expecting mercy and being obedient are not mutually exclusive when a person loves God with all his heart, mind, soul, strength and understanding (Matt 22).

However, if he is self-serving then the two could be mutually exclusive – but in that case, he would have bigger problems.

[annalex]

Expecting mercy and being obedient are not mutually exclusive

"Expecting" is a sneaky word here. You hope for mercy. You do not presume mercy. Hope is extolled as a theological virtue. The assuredness of salvation is a protestant spin on certain verses. The Apostles taught in terms of hope:

we are saved by hope.

(Romans 8)

mindful of the work of your faith, and labour, and charity, and of the enduring of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God and our Father

(1 Thessalonians 1)

every one that hath this hope in him, sanctifieth himself, as he also is holy.

(1 John 3)

brethren, labour the more, that by good works you may make sure your calling and election.

(2 Peter 1)