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Mercy and Grace: Are They the Same?
Life Hope and Truth ^ | June 9,2015 | Dave Johnson

Posted on 06/09/2015 8:47:45 AM PDT by RnMomof7

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). What are mercy and grace?

Mercy and grace

We can find the words grace and mercy used in the same context and sometimes in the same sentence in the Bible. Do they mean the same thing? And if not, what is the difference?

Lesson from Jonah

The story of Jonah being swallowed by a great fish, being delivered and giving God’s message to the city of Nineveh is one of the most famous stories in the Bible. What is sometimes lost in the telling of this story is one of the great lessons we can learn from it: God is a God of mercy, and He desires to see that same trait in us.

After his effort to run away from what God commissioned him to do, Jonah was swallowed by a great fish and eventually was deposited on the shores near Nineveh (Jonah 1 and 2). After preaching to the people of Nineveh about the need to repent, something happened that Jonah wasn’t expecting: The people of Nineveh repented, and God spared them (Jonah 3).

Jonah’s reaction in chapter 4 was to sit outside the city and wait to see the destruction that never came. God prepared a plant to shield Jonah from the heat of the sun, and then destroyed the plant (verses 6-8). When Jonah became angry about the loss of the plant, God told Jonah the lesson he needed to learn: “And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock?” (Jonah 4:11). Jonah needed to learn about mercy.

Mercy is a part of God’s nature. How important is mercy to us? And where does grace fit into the picture?

What is mercy?

Mercy is commonly defined as forbearance or kindness. In particular, mercy usually involves kindness shown at a time when a severe penalty is expected. Mercy is one of God’s traits, shown often toward mankind, as shown by this statement from Moses to the children of Israel:

“When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the LORD your God and obey His voice (for the LORD your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them” (Deuteronomy 4:30-31).

Mercy is often tied to the concept of forgiveness. For instance, if you forgive someone who has wronged or hurt you, that would be an act of mercy.

The book of Numbers illustrates this with the account of the children of Israel when they sent spies to the Promised Land. Ten of the 12 spies brought back a negative report about the land. The Israelites reacted with mourning and complaining and wanted to choose a new leader to take them back to Egypt, in spite of the many great miracles God had performed for them.

This rebellion greatly angered God, and when He was ready to destroy the people, Moses intervened and appealed to God’s mercy:

“And now, I pray, let the power of my Lord be great, just as You have spoken, saying, ‘The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty. …’ Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now” (Numbers 14:17-19).

God responded, “I have pardoned, according to your word” (verse 20).

While the Bible often talks about mercy in reference to sins and transgressions, that isn’t always the case. At times, we can have mercy (or receive it) in situations of trial or discomfort, as shown in this passage in Proverbs: “He who despises his neighbor sins; but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he” (Proverbs 14:21).

All of these passages refer to an act of kindness or forgiveness toward someone who is in need of it. How does grace fit into this picture, and is it the same as mercy?

Grace is not the same thing

Although mercy is certainly an aspect of God’s grace, grace is a broader, more extensive concept than mercy. Grace comes from the Greek word charis, which has multiple meanings, including gift, favor and kindness. It refers to the unearned favor of God that is extended to us to pardon our sins upon repentance and to enable us to have a healthy, happy relationship with our Creator. Our sins being forgiven by God’s grace leads to salvation (Titus 2:11).

“Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow” (1 Peter 1:10-11).

Grace is often mentioned in the context of guilt. We have all sinned, and the price for those sins is death. That penalty was paid for by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).

Grace involves the unmerited pardon of our sins, and that pardon was made possible by Christ’s death.Grace involves the unmerited pardon of our sins, and that pardon was made possible by Christ’s death.

God’s grace will be made available to all mankind! When the apostles gathered in a conference in Jerusalem and debated how gentiles as well as Israelites could receive salvation, Peter made the following statement: “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they” (Acts 15:11). The apostles went on to listen to accounts of how God had worked with the gentiles—pardoning their sins and giving them the Holy Spirit.

Grace is what allows us to be cleansed of our sins and to be reconciled to our Creator: “To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:6-7).

Mercy and grace!

Now consider this passage from the apostle Paul: “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:12-14). Here, we clearly see that the meaning of grace is broader than that of mercy.

Paul had reason to expect punishment or harsh treatment because of his zealous persecutions of the early Christians. Instead, he received unexpected benevolence and forgiveness. He himself was called to be a Christian and a minister of the truth! That mercy, however, did not forgive his sins and justify him before God. That was given by grace—by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Grace is something we all need, but we cannot earn it or give it to others. It comes only through the sacrifice of Christ. Mercy, though, is something we need at various points in our lives, and is something we are expected to show toward others.

Notice these words from Christ, given in the message we know as the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). We have all gone through times in our lives when we have been in need of mercy. How much mercy are we showing?

Grace includes the unmerited gift of salvation and many other expressions of God’s grace, and with these gifts come responsibilities and expectations from our Creator. For more information on the subject of God’s grace, see the article “What Is Grace?”


TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; General Discusssion; Theology
KEYWORDS: grace; mercy; salvation
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To: metmom; Religion Moderator

I didn’t think we were supposed to use things like that.

What are you trying to say?


21 posted on 06/09/2015 10:14:39 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation

It’s Bookmark For Later Reading.


22 posted on 06/09/2015 10:18:20 AM PDT by Genoa (Starve the beast.)
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To: Hoffer Rand

Unmerited favor smacks cold hard against man’s pride of works, thinking, or even demanding God that he ?

Some that he can strong arm God , to coax God to give him righteousness because of his works and keeping the law.

Grace is not grace when it’s earned.

God chooses whom he will extend his grace, mercy and love towards all by him self.

It is human pride to think that God should love them, bless them save because of their works apart from God’s grace.

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

The true extent of humility is taking the focus off of one’s self, and placing it souly on God alone.

Works based salvation places the focus on self, and glorifies man.

Grace based salvation places the focus souly on God, and God alone in the person of Jesus Christ.

Grace based salvation glorifies God.


23 posted on 06/09/2015 10:35:40 AM PDT by American Constitutionalist (BeThe Keystone Pipe lik Project : build it already Congress)
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To: Salvation

Can it be said that the providence of God is the means to which he bestows his grace ?


24 posted on 06/09/2015 10:38:58 AM PDT by American Constitutionalist (BeThe Keystone Pipe lik Project : build it already Congress)
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To: American Constitutionalist

Forgive me for being confused. Do you think I suggest a salvation of works? Or that we in any way can earn favor with God? Or that we can find a way to deserve salvation? Nothing is further from the truth. Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:9-12


25 posted on 06/09/2015 10:47:52 AM PDT by Hoffer Rand (Bear His image. Bring His message. Be the Church.)
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To: Olog-hai

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.

Without faith no one can please God.

Faith is taking God at his word, standing on it against all possible odds inspire of what this unbelieving world tells you, or what the natural eyes see.

Faith is trusting God when hope seems all but lost.

Faith is believing, trusting, knowing that God is with you in the storm when you can’t see him, smell him, hear him, when your senses, and when you hear this world’s voices say “ where is your God now “.

Fear not, for I am with you says the LORD.

I have redeemed you, I have called you by name.

When you pass through the waters and through the flame,

I’ll be with you says the LORD ( YUD HEY VAV HEY ).

YOU NOT SHALL DROWN ! YOU NOT SHALL BE BURNED !

FOR I WITH YOU !


26 posted on 06/09/2015 10:49:53 AM PDT by American Constitutionalist (BeThe Keystone Pipe lik Project : build it already Congress)
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To: shove_it

Ninveva was a pagan culture.

Repent from what ?

All have sinned.

Israel sinned, therefore God provided a yearly sacrifice that the high priest offered to God for the sins of the whole nation, the atonement for their sins, the law does not attone for sins, it condemns a man.

Repent from what ?

God set into motion the way of salvation in his son Jesus Christ.

The law can not make any mam righteousness, or be made justified in the sight of God, never.

Repent from what ?

The Greek word for our English word Repent means, to change one’s mind, attitude towards God.

The Greek word is metanoeo.

John the Baptist called on the people to “ Metanoeo “ and “ believe “ on the Gospel, to believe on the one whom God sent.

St. Paul even said in his letter to the Romans that the law was weak in the flesh, it could never save anyone or make anyone righteous before God.

If it could have made man right before God, or justified before God, then they would not have need of the Old Testament system of the blood sacrifice, but of course you are already aware of that.

If the law would have, could have made man right before God, or justified before God, then ? There would have been no need to send his son, the Messiah to die on the cross for our sins.

St. Paul called the Ten Commandments, which was written on stone tablets, the letter that kills, condemns, the ministry of death.

But grace gives life.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

For those who walk not according to the flesh, but after the spirit.

The spirit is grace, the spirit of grace.

Walking in the flesh is conducting, working, doing, self efforts to obey the law, but it was weak because of the flesh.

But God sending his own son fulfilled ever iota, dot and tittle of the law for us.

The Ninivites were ungodly pagans, who had no regards or thought of the God of Israel.

God wanted to show his grace and kindness towards the Ninivites, Israel’s enemies, that’s why Joanha was upset towards God.

The Gentiles who came to Jesus Christ were not under the law, or under the Covenant of the law that God set up between Israel and the God of Israel.

St. Paul even brought this up with Peter and argued with Peter about putting the Saved Gentile saints under the law.


27 posted on 06/09/2015 11:19:24 AM PDT by American Constitutionalist (BeThe Keystone Pipe lik Project : build it already Congress)
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To: RnMomof7
Mercy and Grace: Are They the Same?

Evidently not...

...obtain mercy and find grace...

28 posted on 06/09/2015 11:39:12 AM PDT by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Salvation
 
Banking and Finance Law Review

29 posted on 06/09/2015 11:41:37 AM PDT by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: American Constitutionalist

Did GOD really say...


30 posted on 06/09/2015 11:42:11 AM PDT by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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To: Hoffer Rand

Just expounding upon it, I agree with you.

Just adding to what you have said.


31 posted on 06/09/2015 11:51:49 AM PDT by American Constitutionalist (BeThe Keystone Pipe lik Project : build it already Congress)
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To: Salvation; Religion Moderator

BFLR = Bookmark for Later Reading.....

I was busy and wanted to mark the thread to read later when I had the time. People use that all the time.

Oh my goodness.....

Do you always expect the worst out of people? Or are you just looking to get people in trouble?

Somehow I get the feeling that I can’t do anything right for some people.

Here, so’s you can check before running to the mod next time......

The 2009 FreeRepublic Lexicon
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2341085/posts


32 posted on 06/09/2015 12:11:03 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: Hoffer Rand

“Justice” is getting what you deserve.

...just to complete the triad.


33 posted on 06/09/2015 12:35:20 PM PDT by kinsman redeemer (The real enemy seeks to devour what is good.)
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To: kinsman redeemer

I do not like to hear people say that our sins are pardoned. While the effect of not having to pay for our sins with death as the commandment would demand and we do not pay with eternal death there is a payment.

First, there is no forgiveness of sin without recognizing you have sinned, with out repenting of the sin and then and only then asking for forgiveness. There is a price for sin and it will be paid one way or another. When we appeal to Christ to save us from our sin what we are really asking Him to do is to take our punishment for us, and that is what he has done.

As I understand it, forgiveness is easy, Grace is not. Through the Grace of Jesus Christ our sins are paid for by Him, because of that we can stand blameless before God.

If one of our children break a law and get a prison sentence, we can forgive them, the person harmed in crime may forgive him but the law will be satisfied. If we wanted to offer grace to our child we would need to serve his prison sentence for him. I doubt most of us would be willing to do that unless the child really showed and convinced us he had changed and that we wouldn’t be serving his sentence just so he could go out and do it again.

Grace has a cost, a very great cost.


34 posted on 06/09/2015 12:52:48 PM PDT by JAKraig (my religion is at least as good as yours)
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To: RnMomof7

Wow! Another great one. Keep up the good work!


35 posted on 06/09/2015 12:53:52 PM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: JAKraig; kinsman redeemer
>> I doubt most of us would be willing to do that unless<<

we're not God either. So there is that.

36 posted on 06/09/2015 1:03:12 PM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: American Constitutionalist

Thank you for clarifying. I was a little confused.


37 posted on 06/09/2015 1:07:36 PM PDT by Hoffer Rand (Bear His image. Bring His message. Be the Church.)
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To: Salvation
See Also: ACTUAL GRACE, See Also: EFFICACIOUS GRACE, See Also: GRATUITOUS GRACE, See Also: HABITUAL GRACE, See Also: JUSTIFYING GRACE, See Also: SACRAMENTAL GRACE, See Also: SANATING GRACE, See Also: SANCTIFYING GRACE, See Also: SUFFICIENT GRACE

So how does one "refill" their grace tank ??

38 posted on 06/09/2015 1:09:28 PM PDT by RnMomof7
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To: shove_it
REPENTANCE is the missing step on the road to REDEMPTION that I am increasingly hearing from the pulpit these days.

I agreed..

39 posted on 06/09/2015 1:16:37 PM PDT by RnMomof7
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To: JAKraig

Yes and God paid that cost.

And yes, our sin is pardoned, by God, because HE paid the cost Himself.

So like it of not, that’s what Scripture teaches.


40 posted on 06/09/2015 1:46:56 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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