Mercy and Grace

Saturday, 26th May 2007

The words "mercy" and "grace" are often being used interchangeably, but there is actually a difference between the two.

Mercy is not getting the bad things we do deserve.

Grace is getting the good things we do not deserve.

For example, let's say a person is charged for stealing a handphone and stands before a judge.

If the judge let's him off, he is showing mercy. The person deserves some form of punishment but the judge has decided to be merciful by pardoning him.

If the judge goes a step further and takes his own handphone to give to the person, then he is now showing grace. Even though that person does not deserve to be given a handphone, yet the judge has chosen to do so.

God has been both merciful and gracious to us.

All of us have sinned and forfeited the glory of God, and the wages of our sin is death. Yet God, in His great mercy, has spared us from eternal damnation.

Now, not only has He shown us mercy, He has gone further to give us His undeserved favour. He showers His blessings upon us, according to His riches in glory.

Praise God for His mercy and grace! Amen?