When anyone in the Gospels responded to Christ they would say "Lord have mercy on me". Nonetheless; doctrinally speaking Grace is certainly coneptually involved in a person's salvation. (By grace you are saved it is the gift of God). (BTW my data is compromised so I will leave the reader to find the cross references being a Google addict...)
The concept that Christ was bringing forth when the Parable of the man beating his breasts and saying "God be merciful to me a sinner" and walking away justtified as compared to the proud; self rightous Pharisee demonstrates how we are not saved by any of our own works of righteousness. That characterizes those who would come to Christ; the poor; downtrodden and the despised Gentiles and Samaritans (sinners and "winebibbers" as the Pharisees ridiculed Christ for hanging out with). He gives grace to the humble; that is another verse someplace :(.
There is an argument as to the concept of "common grace". That is; what I define scripturally as God "raining on the just and the unjust". It certainly can be stated that in this brief vapor of life that we have existence on earth currently there are certain comforts that will desert the wicked eternally after this life is over. According to Lamentations; His mercies are renewed daily.
The sad and scary thought is that those in the world today without Christ are completely unaware or willfully blind of their dire spiritual state. Clearly the true story (that's how I define it) of the "parable" of Lazarus and the rich man demonstrate what awaits those who die without the Lord. We; although the "scum of the earth" as Paul put it or like Jeremiah described in the worst calamity of Israel imaginable still can claim as Paul did "to live is Christ; die is gain." Perhaps grace is defined by the Deut. 29:29 concept; the mysterious consel of the Godhead (as we are all vile; wicked sinners saved by grace). In time and space we may express our understanding of His favor as mercy?
So, when it is all summed up here is the difference between the two.
"As often said" Mercy is not getting what we deserve, and grace is freely receiving what we don't deserve.
Here is where I believe they come together.
As posted in others response mercy is flowing from the God by way of love.
This is Gods Holy spirit. God is Love! God is Just! God is merciful!
In the cross we have God displaying his very nature without compromising any of his attributes.
LOVE and Mercy.
He loved us so he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
JUDGE.
In Matthew 26:39-44 Jesus prayed three times "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Those were our sins that nailed him to that cross and those prayers were answered by those sins being judged and paid for by the penalty of death.
GRACE.
Christ done what only he could have done as "God in the flesh" live the sinless life he did as the perfect lamb of God endure the cross and raise the 3rd day. And his righteousness is imputed to those who believe. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8.
Also. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 1 Corinthians 1:30.
Sin has been judged.
Mercy has been given.
We have been graced with the Holy spirit.
We have been given Christ!
Now we look to display for this fruit to exist in our lives.
One can see God's mercy as one of the smaller rivers that come out of the main river which is called "God's Love". Everything that comes from God originates from His Love. If one tries to summarize God's character in few words, then a good approximation is 3 things. 1. Love, 2. Justice, 3. Truth. Mercy originates from Love, it is a result of love. If there was no mercy from God then that would mean that God has no love. But love in God can not exist without justice and truth, that means that nomatter how much God loves people, He will judge them and imprison them eternally if they do not accept His Son's sacrifice. People's love can go together with unjustice, e.g. we may be unfair to others in favor of our children due to our love for them. God will never do that. Because that kind of love doesn't go together with justice. The same happens with truth and love.
Grace. As Chris said in greek "grace" is "charis" (pronounced in grk. as "khah-rees"). It's original meaning is gift/gifting. "Charisma" also means a gift (a talent given/gifted to a person by God/nature). Everything in the world is a gift from God, it is a result of His Love/Mercy. Life itself, the earth, the skies, the nature, the sun,..., virtually everything is a gift from God to all people, nomatter sinners or saints, But when it comes to salvation, when we say that we are saved by God's Grace that means that we are gifted salvation, it is a gift from God, not a wage for our good behaviour/works. And that gift is through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. Also the strength to withstand numerous events, trials, temptetions in our lives is also due to God's Grace, we are gifted that strength. The Holly Spirit as a helper to us to aquire sanctification is also a gift, we don't do anything to deserve Him.
So mercy is a result of God's Love. Like faith which is something internal which is shown externally by works, God's love/mercy is shown externally by His gifts/grace to people.
These two things we do not deserve are swathed in one word, love that is shown in John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
We as sinners are worthy of death and God has the power and justification to punish us for sin, but our LORD God is a merciful God. This was first shown when God covered Adam and Eve's shame with the skins of the first sacrifice in the garden where they did not walk naked, the same as the last sacrifice will do, the Lamb of God, God did for all who will believe will be covered, Rev. 16:15.
God's grace is to all, and by His grace, we are here on a beautiful planet that we were given. God made a covenant with Abraham and his descendants and came to the law that defines what is sin, for without the law there is no transgression whereas another greater grace could be given, Romans 5:20-21.
By the grace of God, the penalties of the law were paid by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This was first given to the house of Israel, but as written God extended this grace to all of us as in Rom. 1:16-17, that we should be more grateful that God sent His Son to redeem those under the law and then would include us in the adoption of sons and daughters. To me, that is the grace in the New Testament.
In Gods' mercy, He does not give us what we deserve, in His grace, a gift of salvation and eternal life we do not deserve and are only righteous through the life, sacrifice, and resurrection of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
Quoted from the strongs greek "mercy is kindness or good will toward the miserable and afflicted, joined with a desire to relieve them"
Grace has several usages such as favor, kindness, benefit, lovingness, thankfulness, gift . This is all found in the Kings James Bible dictionary ; Strong's No.: G5485 , Thayers definition is good . Salvation is the greatest gift of all for it is "Grace" through faith are we saved Ephesians 2:8 . The statement has three parts- salvation, grace, and faith - they are equally important.
Im of the opinion mercy and grace go hand in hand.
Hi GiGi. Thanks for your question; an important one, though unsure how well it can be answered. This is one that I've given much thought to in the past & even till now, I feel I haven't been able to properly grasp its full implications.
Put succinctly, I would define it as follows: Mercy is one of God's Attributes, just as Holiness, Truth, Wisdom, Power, etc. are; and Grace is what flows from His Attribute of Mercy, & we as His creation, are the recipients of it. Or, in other words, we could never know experientially God's Mercy if we did not receive it as Grace afforded us.
When we read that God is "a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil" ( Jonah 4:2), we understand that Jonah, in spite of his anger against the LORD for saving Nineveh, he also knew that God was a gracious & merciful God and would be so to him even when he disobediently fled to Tarshish.
I read this verse as Jonah's view & understanding of God's Character: that God was altogether gracious, merciful, patient, kind, & just; but to receive such blessings, they had to emanate from a God Who is a merciful God, and His Mercy would consistently prevail until the need for a warranted immutable justice be delivered by Him.
As Lamentations 3:22 reads, "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not". Both the believer & unbeliever are alive today because a merciful God continues to extend His Mercy to us. This we receive as His Grace (Gk. charis) to live, function & enjoy life that He gives us. But when the day comes when His Mercy is no longer extended to humanity, Grace ceases & His Wrath & Judgement are poured out.
I'd be interested to read how others understand God's Mercy & Grace.
Thank you, Chris, I have just been thinking alot about this lately. You have given a good explanation. I also would like to read how others explain it, too.
What is God's mercy and grace? How are they alike. How are they different?
The concept that Christ was bringing forth when the Parable of the man beating his breasts and saying "God be merciful to me a sinner" and walking away justtified as compared to the proud; self rightous Pharisee demonstrates how we are not saved by any of our own works of righteousness. That characterizes those who would come to Christ; the poor; downtrodden and the despised Gentiles and Samaritans (sinners and "winebibbers" as the Pharisees ridiculed Christ for hanging out with). He gives grace to the humble; that is another verse someplace :(.
There is an argument as to the concept of "common grace". That is; what I define scripturally as God "raining on the just and the unjust". It certainly can be stated that in this brief vapor of life that we have existence on earth currently there are certain comforts that will desert the wicked eternally after this life is over. According to Lamentations; His mercies are renewed daily.
The sad and scary thought is that those in the world today without Christ are completely unaware or willfully blind of their dire spiritual state. Clearly the true story (that's how I define it) of the "parable" of Lazarus and the rich man demonstrate what awaits those who die without the Lord. We; although the "scum of the earth" as Paul put it or like Jeremiah described in the worst calamity of Israel imaginable still can claim as Paul did "to live is Christ; die is gain." Perhaps grace is defined by the Deut. 29:29 concept; the mysterious consel of the Godhead (as we are all vile; wicked sinners saved by grace). In time and space we may express our understanding of His favor as mercy?
Great question and great responses!
So, when it is all summed up here is the difference between the two.
"As often said" Mercy is not getting what we deserve, and grace is freely receiving what we don't deserve.
Here is where I believe they come together.
As posted in others response mercy is flowing from the God by way of love.
This is Gods Holy spirit. God is Love! God is Just! God is merciful!
In the cross we have God displaying his very nature without compromising any of his attributes.
LOVE and Mercy.
He loved us so he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
JUDGE.
In Matthew 26:39-44 Jesus prayed three times "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Those were our sins that nailed him to that cross and those prayers were answered by those sins being judged and paid for by the penalty of death.
GRACE.
Christ done what only he could have done as "God in the flesh" live the sinless life he did as the perfect lamb of God endure the cross and raise the 3rd day. And his righteousness is imputed to those who believe. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8.
Also. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 1 Corinthians 1:30.
Sin has been judged.
Mercy has been given.
We have been graced with the Holy spirit.
We have been given Christ!
Now we look to display for this fruit to exist in our lives.
God bless.
One can see God's mercy as one of the smaller rivers that come out of the main river which is called "God's Love". Everything that comes from God originates from His Love. If one tries to summarize God's character in few words, then a good approximation is 3 things. 1. Love, 2. Justice, 3. Truth. Mercy originates from Love, it is a result of love. If there was no mercy from God then that would mean that God has no love. But love in God can not exist without justice and truth, that means that nomatter how much God loves people, He will judge them and imprison them eternally if they do not accept His Son's sacrifice. People's love can go together with unjustice, e.g. we may be unfair to others in favor of our children due to our love for them. God will never do that. Because that kind of love doesn't go together with justice. The same happens with truth and love.
Grace. As Chris said in greek "grace" is "charis" (pronounced in grk. as "khah-rees"). It's original meaning is gift/gifting. "Charisma" also means a gift (a talent given/gifted to a person by God/nature). Everything in the world is a gift from God, it is a result of His Love/Mercy. Life itself, the earth, the skies, the nature, the sun,..., virtually everything is a gift from God to all people, nomatter sinners or saints, But when it comes to salvation, when we say that we are saved by God's Grace that means that we are gifted salvation, it is a gift from God, not a wage for our good behaviour/works. And that gift is through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. Also the strength to withstand numerous events, trials, temptetions in our lives is also due to God's Grace, we are gifted that strength. The Holly Spirit as a helper to us to aquire sanctification is also a gift, we don't do anything to deserve Him.
So mercy is a result of God's Love. Like faith which is something internal which is shown externally by works, God's love/mercy is shown externally by His gifts/grace to people.
GBU
This is a lovely explanation.
These two things we do not deserve are swathed in one word, love that is shown in John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
We as sinners are worthy of death and God has the power and justification to punish us for sin, but our LORD God is a merciful God. This was first shown when God covered Adam and Eve's shame with the skins of the first sacrifice in the garden where they did not walk naked, the same as the last sacrifice will do, the Lamb of God, God did for all who will believe will be covered, Rev. 16:15.
God's grace is to all, and by His grace, we are here on a beautiful planet that we were given. God made a covenant with Abraham and his descendants and came to the law that defines what is sin, for without the law there is no transgression whereas another greater grace could be given, Romans 5:20-21.
By the grace of God, the penalties of the law were paid by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This was first given to the house of Israel, but as written God extended this grace to all of us as in Rom. 1:16-17, that we should be more grateful that God sent His Son to redeem those under the law and then would include us in the adoption of sons and daughters. To me, that is the grace in the New Testament.
In Gods' mercy, He does not give us what we deserve, in His grace, a gift of salvation and eternal life we do not deserve and are only righteous through the life, sacrifice, and resurrection of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
God bless,
RLW
A splendid explanation. I appreciate your response.
Grace has several usages such as favor, kindness, benefit, lovingness, thankfulness, gift . This is all found in the Kings James Bible dictionary ; Strong's No.: G5485 , Thayers definition is good . Salvation is the greatest gift of all for it is "Grace" through faith are we saved Ephesians 2:8 . The statement has three parts- salvation, grace, and faith - they are equally important.
Im of the opinion mercy and grace go hand in hand.
Being grateful is always in order when we consider what we deserve and what God has done instead!
Put succinctly, I would define it as follows: Mercy is one of God's Attributes, just as Holiness, Truth, Wisdom, Power, etc. are; and Grace is what flows from His Attribute of Mercy, & we as His creation, are the recipients of it. Or, in other words, we could never know experientially God's Mercy if we did not receive it as Grace afforded us.
When we read that God is "a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil" ( Jonah 4:2), we understand that Jonah, in spite of his anger against the LORD for saving Nineveh, he also knew that God was a gracious & merciful God and would be so to him even when he disobediently fled to Tarshish.
I read this verse as Jonah's view & understanding of God's Character: that God was altogether gracious, merciful, patient, kind, & just; but to receive such blessings, they had to emanate from a God Who is a merciful God, and His Mercy would consistently prevail until the need for a warranted immutable justice be delivered by Him.
As Lamentations 3:22 reads, "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not". Both the believer & unbeliever are alive today because a merciful God continues to extend His Mercy to us. This we receive as His Grace (Gk. charis) to live, function & enjoy life that He gives us. But when the day comes when His Mercy is no longer extended to humanity, Grace ceases & His Wrath & Judgement are poured out.
I'd be interested to read how others understand God's Mercy & Grace.
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