In the heart of Christianity lie two foundational pillars: The GRACE of God and the MERCY of God. These divine attributes are not only the essence of our faith but also the driving force behind our salvation.
Through God's grace, we are saved, and by His mercy, we are not consumed. Without GRACE AND MERCY, then we don’t have access to the throne of God according to 1 Corinthians 1: 26-31 KJV.
Therefore, it is key to note that mercy is the forerunner of GRACE.
The Grace of God
We live in a world full with mighty men and women, giants in various fields such as business and careers, sports. They possess exceptional qualities and remarkable achievements. These high flyers in destiny often seem insurmountable, yet the secret that turns small men into mighty men is the Grace of God. Therefore, with the GRACE of God, it is key to sustaining men amidst intimidation.
Key Points about God's Grace
- Chosen by God: Despite the presence of giants in your field, you have no reason to be discouraged. Men may disqualify you, but God has chosen you (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV; 1 Corinthians 15:9-11 NIV).
- Exceeding human limitations: To operate beyond human smartness, skill, and intelligence, you need to exceed your natural size. This exceeding Grace is the grace of God. Grace is essentially the size of God, and whatever cannot stop God cannot stop you.
The Mercy of God
The mercy of God is equally powerful and essential. It spares us from destruction and grants us strength. Beneficiaries of God's mercy cannot be easily overcome or wasted (Lamentations 3:22; Exodus 3:7-10 NIV).
Key Points about God's Mercy:
- Protection from destruction: God's mercy keeps us safe from harm and destruction.
- Strength through mercy: Those who receive God's mercy cannot be easily contended with or defeated (2 Samuel 7:14-15; Isaiah 55:3; 2 Chronicles 6:42 KJV).
Comparing Mercy and Grace
Understanding the interplay between mercy and grace reveals deeper insights into how God works in our lives:
- Mercy overlooks, Grace complements: Mercy overlooks our errors while grace complements our efforts (1 Timothy 1:12-17 NIV).
- Cleansing and filling: Mercy cleans the vessel, preparing it for grace to fill. Grace cannot be poured into a dirty vessel; it is only when mercy has finished its work that grace can take over.
- Lifting from the floor to the throne: Mercy picks us up from the floor, and grace takes us to the heights of destiny (1 Corinthians 10:27). An example is Rahab, whom mercy located and grace elevated to fame (Hebrews 11:31).
- Seeing beyond faults: Mercy looks beyond our faults, allowing grace to meet our needs.
- Drawing closer to God: Mercy draws us closer to God, enabling us to draw from the well of grace (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV).
The way of Grace and Mercy
To fully embrace and benefit from God's grace and mercy, we must adopt certain practices:
- Living a merciful Life: Embrace mercifulness in your life while dealing with people (Psalm 18:24-26; Matthew 5:7 KJV/NKJV; Galatians 6:9 TPT/CEV).
- A Life of prayer: Engage in a life of prayer. The throne of God is the headquarter of grace, and it is through prayer that we access this grace (Read 2 Corinthians 12:9; Luke 18:1; Hebrews 4:16; and Ephesians 6:18 NKJV). Prayer is essential for our spiritual well-being.
- A Life of praise: Cultivate a life of praise and gratitude. Those who know how to praise and thank God will always experience His mercy and grace in abundance.
The grace and mercy of God are the anchor of our Christian faith. By understanding and embracing these divine gifts, we can overcome the giants in our lives and achieve extraordinary exploits.