What is the difference between Mercy and Grace?

Mercy and grace are two distinct aspects of God's attributes. Mercy and grace do not carry the same meaning, even though some people ignorantly thinks they mean the same thing. Mercy and grace are two sides of the same coin, they both reveal the depth of God's love for us. In Christ Jesus, God has lavished these blessings upon us gratuitously, for in him we have obtained both Mercy and grace. When you carefully study the scriptures, you will realize that the contexts in which both words are often used, differ greatly in their meaning. I encourage you to read through this article, as I, by the grace of God explore the meaning of both words into details for your spiritual edification 

What is the biblical definition of Mercy?

Mercy means withholding deserved punishment against an offender. When you show clemency to someone who deserves punishment for his or her actions, is what can be defined as Mercy. For instance, a thief breaks into your house, and steals a significant amount of money from you, but fortunately you caught him. Instead of handling him over to the authorities, you decided to let him go, this is what we call mercy. In one of the penitential Psalm, David cried out and said: God, in your grace, have mercy on me; in your great compassion, blot out my crimes. - Psalm 51:3

Wash me completely from my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin. - Psalm 51:4

The prophet after he had engaged himself in adultery, lied and committed murder, he knew the consequences of his sins and yet pleads with God to have mercy on him. He knew the grave effects of his actions and asks the Lord not to deal with him according to his sins. Apostle Paul wrote: And I thank the one who has given me strength, the Messiah Yeshua, our Lord, that he considered me trustworthy enough to put me in his service, - 1 Timothy 1:12, even though I used to be a man who blasphemed and persecuted and was arrogant! But I received mercy because I had acted in unbelief, not understanding what I was doing. - 1 Timothy 1:13. The apostle was formerly a persecutor, and a blasphemer, yet God showed him mercy. If God had dealt with him according to his sins, he would have cast him into eternal damnation, but God had mercy on him.

We have all sinned against God, and the bible says, for the wages of sin is death (Romans 3; 23). We all deserve to spend eternity away from the presence of God in hell, as the just reward for our sins. Eternal punishment and condemnation is what we deserve, but God poured out his wrath against our sins on our substitute, he punished him in our room and stead, so that you and I will be forgiven. Therefore, in Christ Jesus, God has shown us great mercy, see (Ephesians 2; 4).

What is the biblical definition of Grace?

Biblically speaking, grace is defined as God giving us something we do not deserve. Grace is an unmerited favor. In theology, we have what we call common grace. Common grace is the grace God bestows on every one in the world, irrespective of their spiritual standing before him. Examples of common grace includes, food, water, rain, sunlight and other necessities of life. But my emphasis is on another aspect of God's grace namely, saving grace. We have sinned against God, but God in his grace came down from heaven to earth and dwelt among us. 

He laid down his precious life for us and condemned sin in his flesh. After he had made purification for sins, he sat down on the right hand of the father (Hebrews 1; 3). The moment we trusted in Christ for salvation, all the benefits of his salvific work was credited into our account, which includes eternal life (Romans 6; 23b), relationship with God (Romans 5; 11), the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2; 38), forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1; 7), Justification (Romans 5; 1), sanctification (1 Corinthians 1; 30), adoption into God's family (Ephesians 1; 4) and etcetera. These are blessings we do not deserve, we cannot pay for them, that is the reason why it is called grace. We are saved not by our own works, but by his grace: For you have been delivered by grace through trusting, and even this is not your accomplishment but God's gift. - Ephesians 2:8

You were not delivered by your own actions; therefore no one should boast. - Ephesians 2:9

For we are of God's making, created in union with the Messiah Yeshua for a life of good actions already prepared by God for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10. Our salvation is a gift, it is by grace and not of works, lest grace will no longer be grace. We do not deserve to be saved, what we really deserve was hell, but God in his grace condescended, and took upon him a human nature, and saved us eternally through the sacrifice of himself. This is what we call grace, receiving something you do not deserve. I close with this, an excellent author gave this beautiful illustration between Mercy and grace in these words:

"Imagine that someone tried to rob your house. It turns out the robber was simply in a desperate situation and did not mean to harm anyone. Your mercy came in the form of pardoning the thief and letting the matter go instead of calling the police. After that, you still gave him food and money to help him through the difficult time - that's grace". Understanding the difference between Mercy and grace will enrich your understanding of the nature of God's love. God bless you 

A thought to ponder 🤔 

Mercy and grace are two sides of the same coin, they both reveal the depth of God's love for us.

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