So far we have discussed Love and Grace, but what about Mercy? According to our last study, the difference between grace and mercy seemed to be unclear, and rightly so since it was a study on grace, not mercy. But now it is time we made this distinction a bit more explicit.
As I mentioned previously, it is my opinion that Grace is just an expression of love. As I have heard it said: Grace is when God gives someone something that they do not deserve. Likewise I have heard it say that Mercy is when God does not give someone what they do deserve; with an implied understanding that this "something" is a negative something such as punishment, or eternal damnation.
If we turn this second definition around, mercy becomes the extension of God's forgiveness and, therefore, a more particular type of grace. Mercy is grace applied onto sin and sinners. A grace that extends (gives) forgiveness to those that do not deserve it. Mercy then is another way to refer to His saving grace. John 10:10 describes a general sense of His grace. In this passage God says that Jesus came to give us a more abundant life.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:10-11
However, we see in Johns 3:16-17 a more specific aspect of the grace of God. If Jesus came to give us gifts (see Luke 11:13) and a more abundant life, then his forgiveness is another one, and the most significant, of His gifts. This passage is obviously talking about his saving grace, but what it actually says is that God so loved, that He gave.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." John 3:16-17, ESV
We can conclude that if grace is God's giving, then mercy is, specifically, God giving us his forgiveness.
As a closing thought, It is important to mention the difference between discipline and punishment at this point. Discipline, is another expression God's grace, though it might be unpleasant for those on the receiving end of it. Discipline is meant for the good of the one being disciplined, to produce a good and desirable quality in them and for the purpose of teaching. Discipline always has its origin in Love. Punishment, as I use it throughout this blog, is a retribution for sin based on anger. If Divine, this punishment can be referred to as wrath, condemnation , or judgment (not necessarily the "final Judgment"). If human, punishment is also known as vengeance, which is another form of sin.
Thank you Father for your amazing, saving, grace. Thank you for what you did at the cross for us undeserving, wretched creatures. I pray that you show us the extent of our sinfulness, and the true extent of your Holiness and glory, to whatever degree we can possibly understand. Help us grasp the full extent of your mercy to the point where we are transformed in who we are and how we see our lives and you. Help us understand how helpless we are without you, and how impossible it is to re-pay you for your sacrifice so we might understand the true value of it. Amen
As I mentioned previously, it is my opinion that Grace is just an expression of love. As I have heard it said: Grace is when God gives someone something that they do not deserve. Likewise I have heard it say that Mercy is when God does not give someone what they do deserve; with an implied understanding that this "something" is a negative something such as punishment, or eternal damnation.
If we turn this second definition around, mercy becomes the extension of God's forgiveness and, therefore, a more particular type of grace. Mercy is grace applied onto sin and sinners. A grace that extends (gives) forgiveness to those that do not deserve it. Mercy then is another way to refer to His saving grace. John 10:10 describes a general sense of His grace. In this passage God says that Jesus came to give us a more abundant life.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:10-11
However, we see in Johns 3:16-17 a more specific aspect of the grace of God. If Jesus came to give us gifts (see Luke 11:13) and a more abundant life, then his forgiveness is another one, and the most significant, of His gifts. This passage is obviously talking about his saving grace, but what it actually says is that God so loved, that He gave.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." John 3:16-17, ESV
We can conclude that if grace is God's giving, then mercy is, specifically, God giving us his forgiveness.
As a closing thought, It is important to mention the difference between discipline and punishment at this point. Discipline, is another expression God's grace, though it might be unpleasant for those on the receiving end of it. Discipline is meant for the good of the one being disciplined, to produce a good and desirable quality in them and for the purpose of teaching. Discipline always has its origin in Love. Punishment, as I use it throughout this blog, is a retribution for sin based on anger. If Divine, this punishment can be referred to as wrath, condemnation , or judgment (not necessarily the "final Judgment"). If human, punishment is also known as vengeance, which is another form of sin.
Thank you Father for your amazing, saving, grace. Thank you for what you did at the cross for us undeserving, wretched creatures. I pray that you show us the extent of our sinfulness, and the true extent of your Holiness and glory, to whatever degree we can possibly understand. Help us grasp the full extent of your mercy to the point where we are transformed in who we are and how we see our lives and you. Help us understand how helpless we are without you, and how impossible it is to re-pay you for your sacrifice so we might understand the true value of it. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment