One of the most soul-exhilarating truths in all of Scripture is the twin wonder of God's grace and mercy. These two divine attributes shine brightest when viewed against the dark backdrop of our utter unworthiness. We have willfully rebelled against our Maker, transgressed His holy Word, and loved darkness rather than light. And yet, God, in infinite love and compassion, lavishes both grace and mercy upon vessels of wrath.
GRACE is God's freely giving salvation to un-deserving, ill-deserving and Hell-deserving sinners. It is not merely a lifting of guilt; it is the bestowing of unimaginable blessing! Grace takes a vile rebel against God and makes him a beloved son of God. Grace does not wait for worthiness it moves toward the unworthy and brings them nearby. As Paul wrote, "It is by grace that you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast!" (Ephesians 2:8-9) Salvation is not a reward; it is a gift. It is God placing a crown of blessing on the head of the one who deserved nothing but chains of punishment.
MERCY, by contrast, is God withholding damnation to un-deserving, ill-deserving and Hell-deserving sinners. "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities!" (Psalm 103:10) Every breath we take outside of Hell, is a mercy. Every morning that dawns with fresh light, is a token of God's longsuffering. It is mercy that delays judgment and gives room for repentance. It is mercy that pities the guilty and restrains wrath.
Together, grace and mercy reveal the full beauty of the gospel.
Grace gives Heaven.
Mercy withholds Hell.
Grace bestows riches.
Mercy averts ruin.
In Christ, both flow freely. The cross is where mercy and grace meet justice satisfied by the blood of the Son, and favor poured out without measure upon the utterly unworthy. There, the Hell-deserving are pardoned, adopted, and promised glory.
Brethren, we have nothing to boast in. The only thing we contribute to our salvation, is our sin! And believer, never cease to marvel that you are now an heir of Heaven because God has not given you what you do deserve, and has given you what you could never deserve. Fall on your face before this God who is rich in mercy and abounding in grace.
[Charles H. Spurgeon]
Hebrews 4:16 ... Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
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