Monday, January 16, 2012

God's Mercy, God's Grace

You may have heard that God’s grace is what saves us, but what about His mercy? I’ve heard that these are two gifts that set Christianity apart from any other religion. But what really is the difference between grace and mercy? Here are the definitions:
  • Mercy is the act of God by which He withholds what we do deserve. It is the forgiveness Jesus gives us, even though we are worthy of judgement    "To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him" (Daniel 9:9).
  • Grace is when we get something even though we don't deserve it.“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”( Eph. 4:7)

It seems as if a companion to His grace is His mercy. They just go together. Because of Adam and Eve who sinned in the garden, sin has been passed down to everyone through all generations. We are all sinners and deserve total judgment. Believers have been saved by grace through faith.

All we need to do is to respond to His grace and have faith in Him for our lives. It is by grace and grace alone, God declares the sinner righteous and from that moment on the sinner justified by grace begins a process of growth toward maturity. 

So without His mercy first to forgive us our sins, we really couldn’t experience this gift of grace he bestows upon us for salvation. What an amazing process! God is so merciful! Because of His mercy I can experience His grace!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Your mercy (which I don’t deserve) and Your amazing grace, which is a true gift from You alone!

 sources:

Sharing His mercy and my grace-filled days!(Taking the Joy Dare)
Light that caught you, a reflection that surprised you, a shadow that fell lovely:
375.  The sun on a clear winter day.
 












      


376. A puddle of water on a gloomy day.
 
      377.  My own shadow, taking a picture.
       A gift that’s sour, a gift that’s sweet, a gift that’s just right:
     378. Lemon juice 
     379. cookies 
     380. vanilla chai
Three yellow things that strike you as fresh mercy:
381. Sunflowers
 382. A butterfly
383, Chicks

3 sounds you hear:
 384. Computer fan
 385. My dog barking
     386, My hubby snoring
     3 ways you glimpsed the startling ways of God  
 387. His mercy in my life
 388. His wonderful gift of grace.
 389. It's in complete stillness that I find Him!

Linking on over at:





Beauty in His Grip Button



6 comments:

  1. Beautiful thought about Grace & Mercy
    Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I love how you've paired photos with some of your list items - so creative!

    Thanks for coming on by to link up today, Ann.

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    1. I've really enjoyed getting into taking pictures lately! My camera isn't the best, but it does the job! Thank you for stopping by, Michelle!

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  3. Love this post (and very much enjoyed your "about" page)...
    Thank you for sharing with NOBH.
    ~Kara @ The Chuppies

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and your sweet comment, Kara! God bless!!

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  4. Mercy and Grace...those are gifts that go hand in hand, don't they? He has definitely spared me from what I deserve...and then blessed me with joy that is undeserved! I am so thankful for His love!

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