Previous Questions and Answers
What is the difference between
"mercy" and "grace?"
.
The word grace is defined as,
“unmerited divine assistance given humans for their
regeneration or sanctification” (Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary). Ephesians 2:8-9 says,
“8 For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9
Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
The word mercy is defined as, “compassion or
forbearance shown especially to an offender” (Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate
Dictionary). Psalms
51:1-2 says, “1 Have mercy upon me, O God,
according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of
thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me
throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my
sin.”
“Grace” is God giving to us a good thing which we do
not deserve (example: we do not deserve salvation, but God, in
His grace, offers us that free gift of salvation through
repentance and faith in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ
upon the cross). “Mercy” is withholding from us
punishment that we do deserve (example: we deserve to spend
eternity in hell as the punishment for our sins, but God has
shown mercy to us, and sent His Son to pay the price for our
sins).
