SEARCHLIGHT
Have you received both grace and mercy?
SCRIPTURE
Grace, mercy, and peace, which come from God the Father and from Jesus Christ-the Son of the Father-will continue to be with us who live in truth and love. 2 John 3 NLT
SPOTLIGHT
When you hear the words “give and take,” you probably think of compromise. Both people or groups give something in order to get something. Marriage is often described as a give and take relationship. Some partners claim they give far more than they take. When you have a roommate, there has to be a lot of give and take. Political parties or opposing groups try to reach an amiable connection by giving and taking. However, GOD’S “GIVE AND TAKE” is significantly different and brings a whole new understanding to this phrase. God does all the giving and taking. Let me explain.
GOD’S “GIVE AND TAKE” are the words that best describe the difference between grace and mercy. Some people may question if there is a distinction. However, the Apostle John along with Paul and the writer of Hebrews believed there was a significant one. You need to know about it! Why? Because God’s grace and God’s mercy are the greatest and most valuable gifts you will ever receive.
In the Scripture focus for today, the Apostle John began his second letter with a greeting which also is a prayer. John asked God that grace, mercy and peace would continue to flood the readers of his letter. God’s grace is His loving-favor and God’s mercy is His loving-kindness. God’s peace is a result of receiving His grace and mercy. Why did John distinguish between grace and mercy?
There have been many heartfelt stories of people receiving gifts from unknown, generous benefactors. Perhaps you heard about high school students who were told on their graduation day that they had full scholarships to university. There have been university students who have had benefactors write off all their school debt. One waitress received a very big tip which enabled her to buy a car rather than have to walk to work in the cold. At Christmas time, secret Santa’s go around giving money to unexpected people who can greatly use it. And do not forget people who donate organs to people who may die if they do not get a transplant. All these scenarios are examples of grace.
Grace is something good that is freely given to someone who does not deserve it, cannot earn it and cannot achieve it. In the above-mentioned examples, none of the people did anything that made them deserve what they received. Neither could they have earned it or done something to warrant it. All of them received grace from someone in some form.
God’s grace is GOD’S “GIVE.” God gives you something you do not deserve, cannot earn and will never be able to achieve by your own doing. It is called salvation. The Bible says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. We are God’s masterpiece.…” [Ephesians 2:8-10a NLT]
God’s grace is incomparable. This gift is salvation along with God’s friendship, abundant life here on earth, eternal life with Him in heaven, His presence, power and guidance along with many other grace gifts. You do not warrant any of these grace gifts. You cannot work for them. And you will never be able to do something so great that you will be honored or awarded with them. All you can say is, “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now I am found, I was blind but now I see.”
G.W. Knight wrote, “When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day’s pay for his time, that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for his performance, that is a prize. When a person receives appropriate recognition for his long service or high achievements, that is an award. But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award – – yet receives such a gift anyway – – that is a good picture of God’s unmerited favor. This is what we mean when we talk about the grace of God. [G.W. Knight, Clip-Art Features for Church Newsletters, page 53.]
The more you understand God’s grace, the more you are amazed. You have no right to be given God’s grace. Your goodness, generosity, or greatness do not qualify you for grace. God’s grace is so amazing.
So what is mercy? Let me paraphrase a story told by Evangelist Luis Palau: A mother approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death. The mother explained, “But I don’t ask for justice. I plead for mercy.” Napoleon replied, “But your son does not deserve mercy.” Quickly the mother responded, “Sir, it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for.” “Well then,” the emperor said, “I will have mercy.” Napoleon spared the woman’s son. [Palau, Experiencing God’s Forgiveness, Multnomah Press, 1984] Here is an example of mercy. The young soldier had committed a crime two times. According to the laws of the land, his crime warranted death. The young man received mercy rather than punishment.
Mercy is something bad that is taken away from someone who fully deserves it. Usually, it is a punishment or consequence for something a person has done. The crime or error may have been intentional or unintentional, but the guilty party must pay a price. In the above story, Napoleon took away the death penalty for the soldier’s crimes. Mercy is taking away the severe consequences that are rightfully due because of what that person did. Sometimes a judge will have mercy on a guilty party by showing lenience. The judge hands down a far less severe consequence than what is deserved or called for. Mercy wins over justice.
God’s mercy is GOD’S “TAKE.” God takes the penalty you deserve to receive because you are a sinner. It is called forgiveness for sin. Your rebellion against God and ignoring Him have warranted death. [Romans 6:23] God withholds from you the consequences of hell. God chooses not to get even although you have lived a self-centered, pride-driven life. God gives His Son as a sacrifice to pay for your sin and the consequences that are due. This is the greatest act of mercy. God saves you because of His mercy. [Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3] Mercy is God showing you undeserved compassion. [Psalm 111:4] God redeems and crowns you with unwarranted mercy. [Psalm 103:4] This is truly mercy!
Jesus Christ showed the greatest gift of mercy when He voluntarily and willingly gave his life so that you could be free from death and join Him in heaven for eternity. He took your place for the penalty of sin. Jesus took your punishment. This is unbelievable compassion extended to you. When justice demands punishment for sin, God dismisses it by offering His Son to be your sacrifice.
The more you understand God’s mercy the more you understand God’s love for you. You have no right to be given God’s mercy. You deserve punishment. God has mercy on you not because of who you are or what you have done but because He is loving and forgiving. God’s mercy overrules God’s judgment. However, His mercy must be received and can be rejected.
Never, ever forget! God’s grace and mercy are the greatest and most valuable gifts you will ever receive. Grace and mercy are different. Someone has put it this way. Grace is God giving you what you do not deserve. Mercy is God taking away what you do deserve. God’s grace blesses you with undeserved favor. God’s mercy withholds from you deserved punishment. Grace is God giving you a new life here on earth and in the hereafter. Mercy is God taking all your guilt and all the consequences for having rebelled against God. This is GOD’S “GIVE AND TAKE.”
SOMETHING TO DO
Since you have received both God’s grace and mercy, how has your life been marked by peace?
SOUL TIME PRAYER
How thankful I am, Heavenly Father, that you have blessed me with Your grace and mercy through Your Son, Jesus Christ, dying on the cross for me. I am so amazed that You would love me so much. Thank you that I am at peace with You, Lord God, and at peace with myself and others. AMEN