Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment (Part 1) Mercy vs Grace
“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” – Ephesians 2:4-5
A Story of Mercy
A businessman discovered his partner had been dishonest. He had every right to sue but chose mercy, sparing him from legal action. Then, in an act of grace, he gave the partner a 20% bonus, saying, “This isn’t because you deserve it, but because I want to show you the grace of God. This story offers a simple picture: mercy withholds punishment, while grace gives undeserved blessings.
Understanding Mercy and Grace
Mercy and grace are two beautiful gifts from God, often spoken of together, but they are not the same. Mercy is like God holding back the punishment we deserve, minimizing the negative. Grace, on the other hand, is God giving us blessings and favor we don’t deserve, creating the positive.
Take the gospel as an example
Mercy spares us from eternal judgment because of our sins.
Grace gives us an abundant l life, and the promise of eternity with Him.
We see God’s mercy in how He forgives, restores, and removes us from guilt and shame. Even though we stumble daily, His mercy spares us from the full consequences of our mistakes. Grace, on the other hand, goes further—empowering us with strength, favor, and blessings to live the life He’s called us to.
The reality is, we all need mercy—whether it’s from God, others, or even ourselves. In moments of failure, guilt, or suffering, mercy forgives and restores. Without mercy, judgment and accusation can take over, leaving us in bondage. Recognizing God’s mercy allows us to live with gratitude and walk in freedom.
To Love Mercy
Think about:
A time when God or someone else showed you mercy—forgiving or sparing you from something you deserved.
A time when you experienced God’s grace—receiving an undeserved blessing or favor
Closing Prayer
Abba Father, thank You for being rich in mercy and love. Thank You for sparing us from the judgment we deserve and giving us blessings we could never earn. Help us to see Your mercy in our lives and to reflect that mercy to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
