Someone recently asked me the difference between GRACE and MERCY. Why are they mentioned together so often? Are they synonymous?

No, they aren’t the same, but the differences are really very simple.

In short…
GRACE is GETTING  what we DON’T DESERVE.
MERCY is NOT GETTING what we DO DESERVE.

God’s GRACE is His unmerited favor for HIS people that WE DON’T DESERVE …those who have faith in Him through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is a gift that can’t be earned.

Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9 (NKJV)

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

God’s MERCY is Him withholding His wrath, judgement and punishment that WE DO DESERVE. Even though GRACE is reserved for those in the Body of Christ..
Everyone is a recipient of God’s MERCY…both believers and unbelievers.

Romans 9:14-18 (NKJV)

14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

Stop right now Give God some WELL-DESERVED thanksgiving and praise for His GRACE and MERCY towards you.

BE BLESSTIFIED!