Our God is both gracious and merciful.  But did you know that there is a difference between the two?  Mercy is God not punishing us as our sins deserve, and grace is God blessing us despite the fact that we do not deserve it.  Mercy is deliverance from judgment. Grace is extending kindness to the unworthy.

Grace does not come as a result of something a person did or in recognition of an accomplishment or milestone. So, like a birthday or Christmas gift that one receives in recognition of an event, grace is given to us by God for no reason. All of us are recipients of the grace of God regardless of how “good” or “bad” we are.

Mercy and grace are best illustrated in the salvation that is available through Jesus Christ. We deserve judgment, but if we receive Jesus Christ as Savior, we receive mercy from God and we are delivered from judgment. Instead of judgment, we receive by grace salvation, forgiveness of sins, abundant life, and an eternity in Heaven.  Because of the mercy and grace of God, our response should be to fall on our knees in worship and thanksgiving. 

Hebrews 4:16
New Living Translation (NLT)

16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Our God loves us so much that he wants to bless us for that reason and that reason alone.  We are truly blessed to have such a loving creator.  His death on the cross is proof of his mercy, because we should have been the ones to take his place.  His continued grace is proof of His devotion to us.  Are you devoted to Him?

Questions to ask yourself…

1.  Have you ever been a recipient of God’s grace and mercy?
2.  Have you ever experienced God’s grace at just the right time?
3.  Before now, did you believe you had to be “deserving” of God’s grace in order to receive it?

COMPOSED BY: MARK EWING