When it comes to words and their definitions, there are multiple meanings. Let’s take a look at the word “grace.” In a Biblical sense, even the word grace has several meanings. Grace can be defined as “unmerited divine assistance.” Grace can also be defined as finding “favor” with God. This word (grace) may also be defined as being sanctified through divine help.
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.” (Titus 2:11); “Because of His [God’s] grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” (Titus 3:7) — It’s freely given, but we must believe and accept His grace to receive our inheritance of eternal peaceful life hereafter our life here on this earth.
Mercy is described as “kind and forgiving treatment,” when in reality, maybe the treatment should or could be received as “harsh.” Mercy can also be described as “kindness” or “giving help” to others when they may need help or what we sometimes refer to as a “hand up.” When people are in a desperate situation and we are able to help them out, we give and show mercy upon them.
Each time we have a tragedy occur, such as the earthquakes in Nepal or the hurricanes and flooding in Louisiana, we may be found to be merciful by donating clothing or money to others. Maybe we are merciful in our actions to go help those in need with love and prayer.
Now, God’s mercy is more like the first definition of being “kind and forgiving,” and grace is truly “unmerited divine assistance.” Why does God give us grace and mercy?
“He [God] shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.” (Luke 1:50)
Do you fear God? He is our Heavenly Father. We should fear him. Do you fear His judgment? You should. He is the only One to fear. He is the ultimate judge. I assure you that you do not want to fall into the path of His great wrath someday.
If your earthly Dad was a good father, then you’d say you feared him when you did something wrong. Why? Because He wanted the best for you. He wanted you to be obedient and do the right things. Why? Because He loved you very much, and God loves you very much, too. He loves all of His creation. We are His creation.
Do we deserve God’s love? God’s grace? God’s mercy? No, not really! Does anyone deserve grace or mercy in forgiveness or favor from God? Not one of us really deserves the grace or mercy of God. However, God gives it to us freely. He freely gives us the reward of something that we don’t deserve. There is one reality. God does not give us the free gift of salvation if we reject Him. He won’t force us to accept Him. He wants us to accept Him willingly.
Why do many people find it difficult to accept Him willingly? Could it be because they consider Him to be a crutch? Yes! Could it be that they don’t want to be considered weak? Yes! Yet, these are both so far from the truth in accepting God willingly. In fact, they are quite the opposite in many ways.
Could it be that these people who don’t want to believe they need God do not realize that they should fear Him? He is the ultimate judge and every single one of us will have to answer to God someday.
Yet: “For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17) — If you don’t accept this as truth, then God tells us that you will not enjoy Heaven after you leave this earth, but you will suffer eternally in Hell instead. It’s still your choice.
Why do most people seem to have trouble receiving God’s divine help? They want to do everything on their own. They want all the credit. I also find that many people cannot forgive themselves for the offenses they have committed. They figure that if they can’t forgive themselves, then why should God forgive them? They believe the offenses are not forgivable. Or these people can’t seem to find a way to feel worthy of mercy. Why should God give them mercy when they don’t feel they deserve it?
Here’s why: “The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression [sin and rebellion], but He does not excuse the guilty…” (Numbers 14:18).
We must accept God and His Son, Jesus Christ, first into our heart, not just our mind. We must seek His forgiveness, mercy, and grace. We must seek Him. We must forgive ourselves and others, and then He will forgive us, too, if we simply ask Him to do so.
We must repent (change and stop sinning)! We can’t ask for forgiveness for an offense (a sin) and then keep sinning the same sin over and over again. We must find the strength of God through the Holy Spirit to stop the sin. Then we can be forgiven and found to be in God’s good graces and mercy, and even receive God’s favor. He gives us the ability to conquer the sins that used to bind us.
“Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!” (Romans 6:14-15)
“So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:21)
“And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is — free and undeserved.” (Romans 11:6)
“But He [God] gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, ‘God opposes the proud but favors the humble.’ ” (James 4:6)
When we can accept God’s grace and mercy, we will be forgiven, forgive ourselves, and forgive others. We will find salvation in God through Jesus Christ. We can receive God’s favor. We can conquer sin and crucify this flesh we live in (our body), but we also now house His spirit of truth and love within (our body) once we accept God, and we can live in and desire to worship God “in spirit and in truth.”
Let these be your words of spirit and your truth: “I pray to you, O Lord, my rock. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you are silent, I might as well give up and die. Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands… Praise the Lord! For He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The Lord gives His people strength. He is a safe fortress…” (Psalm 28:1-2, 6, 7-8)
Now this scripture holds true for me and it should for you, too: “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus — the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” (Acts 20:24); “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for Himself.” (Acts 20:32); “By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.” (Ephesians 3:7)
Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.
“We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 15:11)
Copyright © 2015 by Patricia Shehan
All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and is set in italics and quotation marks.
