There is a difference between grace and mercy.
Mercy is the decision of God not to punish us.
But grace is the decision of God to save and bless us.
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Grace is the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.
In the New Testament grace means God’s love in action towards men who merited the opposite of love. Grace means God moving heaven and earth to save sinners who could not lift a finger to save themselves. J. I. Packer
9 God saved us and chose us to be his holy people, but not because of anything we ourselves did. God saved us and made us his people because that was what he wanted and because of his grace. That grace was given to us through Christ Jesus before time began. 2 Timothy 1:9 Easy-to-Read Version
I do not at all understand the mystery of grace –
only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us. Anne Lamott
God is full of grace. From him we have all received grace in place of the grace already given. John 1:16 New International Reader’s Version
Shame says that because I am flawed, I am unacceptable.
Grace says that though I am flawed, I am cherished.
Unknown
“Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home.”
John Newton
To live by grace means to acknowledge my whole life story,
the light side and the dark. In admitting my shadow side I learn who I am
and what God’s grace means.
Brennan Manning
Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. Hebrews 4:16 Amplified Bible
Today, let’s set our minds and hearts on feeling more thankful
for what we are than guilty for what we’re not.
Let’s cut the threads of guilt with grace.
Lysa TerKeurst