An Inseparable Couple - Mercy & Grace

"Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV

Mercy in this context means kindness, and faithfulness. Here is what is true...we have no ability to redeem ourselves. Each of us were/are dead in our sins - this could have been the END! Yes, our story could have been that short! BUT God had other plans, He showed us mercy. Mercy is simply this - you and I don't receive what we deserve. What do we deserve? Death. 

So everyday, God's mercy is new...so what? This by itself does not change anything. There are criminals that run from the law everyday - is that mercy? Certainly, not. If we just received new mercy every morning, our lives would just be dodging the inevitable - payment for our sins. 

BUT God extended grace to us through Jesus. Grace is defined in the Bible as the "unmerited favor." Plainly, we (neither you or I) did anything to deserve it! Nope, not our good looks, perfect hair, multiple talents, position in society, wealth, etc., - nothing. We serve a God that puts all of us on level playing field, because He sees our hearts and that is what matters to Him most. Grace is God's way of bringing us back to Himself.

In Exodus, the Bible speaks of the law of redemption for a donkey (aka ass). The donkey was to be killed (neck broken), unless the owner decided to sacrifice a lamb in it's place. It had to be a perfect, unblemished lamb. See the parallel? That little donkey was doomed unless, the owner said I will grant it mercy and take the life of a lamb to save it. Are you following me? Unaware of its fate, the donkey is granted mercy and given grace through the lost life of the lamb. WOW!

Oh dear friends, this brings tears to my eyes, I should have died in my sins without hope. BUT God gave me mercy so that I did not have to die for my sins. Instead, He sent Jesus and gave me grace through Jesus' sacrifice so I could have LIFE and LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY!  Thank you, Jesus!

Mercy means nothing without Grace! And if you don't need Mercy, then Grace would be meaningless! Children of God - He granted you Mercy, so that you could walk in Grace and bring the light of God to a darkened world! If we sin, we have an advocate - Jesus Christ. Then, after repentance, we stand up, dust ourselves off and walk on thankful for God's unending mercy and grace! Oh, how I love Him!!


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