Mercy and Grace

‘And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth’ John1:14 [KJV]

Growing up, when you know that your father is merciful, you would not hide anything from him. It is the same thing with God, if you take God as your Father who is merciful. However, unlike our earthly fathers, God already knows everything we have ever done and will do. It would be self-deceit to think you can hide anything from God especially sin. God says you do not have to conceal anything because He is merciful, full of love and grace and long suffering. John1:14, Jesus is being introduced to the world as full of grace and truth. The Father and the Son are one. In other words, God is extending His hand of mercy and grace to you. Mercy and grace are similar in a lot of ways but are slightly different, mercy is not getting what you deserve, and grace on the other hand is getting what you do not deserve. For some of us, the reward for our past is death but God chose to have mercy. Grace is proactive, mercy is reactive. Mercy responds immediately; grace looks into the future and sorts things out. Grace is the word that covers what God did when He sent Jesus to die for our sins. Jesus took the punishment of our sins but He did not stop there, Jesus went ahead and secured an inheritance for us. Through Him we have access to the Father. You did something wrong but instead of getting punished, the Father says you are forgiven because the price for your wrong doing has been paid [Mercy]. Additionally, you have a place in the Kingdom [grace]. In the Name of Jesus, we can ask the Father for anything and get what we ask for. In Jesus you have become part of the common wealth of Israel – Grace. When Jesus is in your heart you radiate grace and mercy. What will you do with Jesus; what will you with the grace and mercy you are carrying in your heart? Work daily at being a doer of the Word [embody Jesus] and not a hearer alone. Strengthen your testimony by sharing Jesus with the people closest to you.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray that Your Mercy and Grace will radiate through me and touch every life I come across. Deepen my understanding of Mercy and Grace in Christ Jesus.