His Glory Blog

Grace is giving what we do not deserve, Mercy is not giving us what we do.

God creates a perfect standard. This perfection is created by God’s very existence. Sin has created a separation between Jehovah and His creation. This separation removes the ability of creation to understand true perfection. Creation settles for a soiled version of perfect called ‘good.’ Then a lesser version of good known as ‘good enough.’ The absolute understanding of perfection will never be completely comprehended outside of God Himself. God explains the concept through laws via the gift of His Word, the Bible. The Mosaic laws were meant to show the full depth of sin. God sent His Word in the flesh to show perfection in real life. He spoke the truth of the law through Jesus to show the repercussions of sin and separation. Finally, God through His Spirit, wrote the law upon the hearts of His chosen to remove the separation sin caused. The hearts of man became dull to the effects of sin and did not understand the original sinless condition of God’s creation. Throughout the Bible God reveals Himself to man, seeking redemption from darkness. God’s repeated seeking of reconciliation is the embodiment of Grace.

Grace is defined in both Greek (charis – 5485) and Hebrew (chen – 2580) as: God freely extending Himself (His favor), reaching (inclining) to His people because He is disposed (willing) to bless (be near) them. Grace is God’s favor, blessing, and divine influence upon the heart. The definition in Hebrew is directly translated as: to provide protection. As with any Hebrew word the depth is difficult to translate into English, so we rely on parallels in scripture to develop the depth the word conveys. The parallels drawn from Psalms show grace as: being merciful through healing, help, raising up, being a refuge, giving strength, and saving. This use of grace in Hebrew shows that grace is the act of being merciful. The act of giving grace is showing mercy.

One of the words for mercy in Hebrew is attached to being gracious (hanan – 2603). Another word for mercy (hesed- 2617) defines it as: steadfast love, compassion, sympathy, and unfailing faithfulness.

Putting the pieces together from the opening quote to the definitions of Grace and Mercy, the depth of God is beginning to take shape. The steadfast love and unfailing faithfulness of God (Mercy) keeps us from the penalty attached to our fallen nature. The grace of God is the provision and protection He shows because He is merciful. God is our healer, helper, support, protection, strength and savior because His is steadfast love and unfailing faithfulness. We are chosen and justified because of who God is, not what we are. He is perfect and we are fallen. We are His choice because of His nature. When God is chosen in return, that is adoption. An adoption signed in His covenant blood. 

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

All creation falls short of the perfection of God. The good of the world is soiled rags in comparison to the perfect love found in the Father’s grace. Isaiah 64:6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.

Ephesians 2:4-5 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 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.