Sunday
11-23-2025
By: Brenda
Last night I was asked if I could explain the difference between Grace and Mercy.
Heres how I understand it through scripture.
Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)
Grace is unearned favor..
God’s generosity poured out on us, even when we could never earn it.
Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve.
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22–23)
Mercy is God’s compassion that withholds judgment and punishment we rightly deserve.
Imagine a man guilty of a serious crime standing before a judge:
Showing Mercy: The judge chooses not to sentence him to the punishment he deserves. He is spared.
Giving Grace: The judge goes further and he adopts the man as his son, gives him a new home, and a fresh start.
This is exactly what God has done for us in Christ. By mercy, He withholds the eternal punishment our sins deserve.
By grace, He gives us eternal life, adoption into His family, and blessings beyond measure through His Son.
Here’s a biblical example:
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32).
Showing Mercy: The father does not reject or punish his son when he returns in shame.
Giving Grace: The father runs to him, clothes him in the best robe, places a ring on his finger, and throws a feast.
Oh, how God loves us ❤️
Dear Father in heaven,
Thank You for Your mercy that spares us from the judgment our sins deserve.
Thank You for Your grace that pours out blessings we could never earn.
Teach us to walk humbly, receiving both mercy and grace with gratitude,
and to extend them to others as You have extended them to us.
May our lives reflect Your compassion and generosity, so that others may see Your love and be drawn to You.
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Have a blessed day 🙏
God loves you ❤️
and so do I ❤️