Mercy is “not getting what we do deserve.”
Grace is “getting what we don’t deserve.”
We are supposed to extend both mercy and grace to those in our circles of interaction.
Most of us are better at mercy than we are at grace. Often times, simply biting our tongue or refraining from action results in mercy. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not easy. Mercy comes from the heart. Mercy takes self-control. Mercy is rooted in love. Ignoring bad behavior is not the same as mercy. Providing mercy requires that you at least acknowledge that someone deserves repercussions for their behavior.
We are also to extend grace to those in our circles. Providing grace to someone is more difficult because there is a personal cost involved. The other person benefits – when they don’t deserve it! Grace steps in alongside someone and helps them in an arena where they fall short and cannot ‘make the grade.’ Grace requires that we invest in the other person. Grace is one-sided. Grace is costly. Grace isn’t picky. Grace doesn’t look at someone’s position or influence. Grace doesn’t look at deeds.
I am still basking in this from when you preached on it a few weeks ago! Trying to intentionally put it into practice regularly..it’s challenging though 🙂
Thanks Jamillah! Anyone that thinks grace-giving is easy isn’t really trying.
Grace was extended to us at calvary. Grace is the unearned, the undeserved and is the unmerited favor of God. When we understand the unmerited favor of God, Then we want to extend grace to others.
When I spoke on this a few Wednesday nights ago I was surprised that only a handful knew the acronym: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. It is the ultimate model for us to strive after.