by leaps and bounds

The Difference

So, grace is getting what you don’t deserve, while mercy is not getting what you deserve. Grace is most needed during sin, suffering, and brokenness. In a world of earning and merit, judgment dictates what you deserve. That is why everyone wants and needs both mercy and grace.

God’s grace is usually defined as undeserved favor. Grace cannot be earned; it is something that is freely given.

We count on God’s grace and the bridge he built in our relationship with him.

From the Old Testament, we know that grace is a part of God’s character.

Grace is freely offered and is Christ’s gift to give, but over and over again in the Bible He teaches the conditions that he expects His followers to abide by in order to receive grace. You must forgive others, turn away from sin and live with faith.

Mercy

Mercy is the kindness and compassion shown to one who offends, while grace is an abiding presence of God in our souls which lifts us up. Grace will eventually be complete when you are in heaven, whereas mercy ends in the moment of death, when you face God’s judgment and justice. Mercy is only extending to you in this life to bring you into His sanctifying grace.

Lamentations 3:22-23 – “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

His mercy is there just like His love for us… but we must be faithful to Him.

We should cry out to him for mercy…but what does it mean to cry for mercy?

It means not keeping quiet but raising your voice to the one who alone can show mercy – GOD. MERCY – compassion, leniency, forgiveness, sympathy, kindness. To have mercy is to show kindness to someone or have compassion to a point of doing good to the person.

So, if you want to know how God showed me Grace & Mercy, go to my blog dated January 2022… it was at one of the lowest points in my life.

BUT GOD…

In Hebrews 4:16 it reads:

“Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

My God has shown me grace and mercy when I didn’t deserve it. But he had a plan for me. He didn’t make my situation happen, but He guided me through it, to show me that He is there NO MATTER WHAT we are going through. It was only by His grace that it worked out the way it did.

It was during that time that I realized that I had taken things for granted. Well, let me tell you, I don’t anymore.

He can get you through anything with His grace & mercy…so don’t ever give up.

I hope this helps someone today. My God bless you … and always remember, never let your cup go empty. ☕️

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Lou Ann Virden is the author of the blog Farmhouse, Coffee and Jesus. She is very active in her church. She volunteers in the food pantry, usher/greeter team, and cleaning crew. She is on the prayer team, is over the sound room team, and she writes the newsletter for her church. Lou Ann and her husband Donnie will be relaunching The Refuge 180 Evangelism Ministry. They have been married for over 40 years. They live on her husband’s family farm with their dog Hunter. In the summer they are busy canning what they harvest from their garden. Her hobbies include going to the beach, reading, camping, and serving however she can. She hopes that her blogs inspires someone that might be dealing with a similar situation.