Articles
Mercy and Grace
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
There is, perhaps, a fine line of distinction between God’s mercy and God’s grace. It helps me to think of it this way: Mercy is an emptying, Grace is a filling.
Mercy is God’s act of emptying me of the stain and guilt of my disobedience. As Paul wrote, “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.” (1Tim 1:13) God’s work of mercy is seen in David’s “take away” pleas in Psalm 51:1-9. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
But mercy is only the first part of God’s work of salvation. By grace, God empowers me to become faithful and righteous, to be a child of God, to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit. As David put it, God’s grace can “create in me a new heart,” “renew a steadfast spirit within me,” “grant me a willing spirit,” and “restore to me the joy of salvation.” (Psalm 51:10-12)
Imagine standing before a judge, remorseful yet clearly guilty of a serious crime, and the judge declaring that you do not have to pay the penalty for your crime. That’s mercy. And then imagine the judge ruling even further on your behalf by offering to be your teacher, guide, counselor, confidant and mentor free of charge for the rest of your life. That’s grace.
That sounds like outrageous behavior for a judge, doesn’t it? Judges do not adjudicate cases with love, patience and self-sacrifice – they rule based on the law and the facts of the case. Who would have the audacity to ask for mercy and grace from a judge?
Mercy plus grace sounds more like the way a father would treat his child. Guilty persons don’t want a judge, we need a Father!
Praise God, a merciful and gracious Father is exactly what we have. “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.”” (Rom 8:14-15)
Remember God’s mercy which calls us to forgive one another. Remember God’s grace which calls us to build up one another. As Peter encourages us, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2Pet 3:18)
