Mercy And Grace (punishment, believe, faith, God)

[noland123]

What is the difference between mercy and grace ?

[I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA]

God's grace is everything God is rushing to meet our every need, all the time, grace is God's love in motion.
Mercy is God forgiving us and withholding the punishment and judgment we deserve for our sins.

[Miss Blue]

Originally Posted by noland123

What is the difference between mercy and grace ?

In my opinion mercy is the act of God showing his compassion ( understanding and empathy} ..IMO, grace is a gift from God. He knows that no matter how faithful we become, that we are still imperfect..His grace allows for the imperfections of an imperfect body and mind in an imperfect world..I once described grace to one of my children as my unconditional love for him that let me forgive some of the things he does because he is not perfect, but I added that I hope he learns from his mistakes and tries to do better

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Justice is getting what you deserve.

Mercy is not getting what you deserve.

Grace is getting what you don't deserve.

[yhwhshalomjr]

Originally Posted by noland123

What is the difference between mercy and grace ?

All of the things that everyone posted noland;
So I won't sound redundant...
What I need everyday, Thanks for His Grace & Mercy
God Bless You
Happy Thanksgiving

[weatherologist]

This thread made me think of this story.

GRACE

The boy stood with back arched, head cocked back and hands clenched
defiantly. "Go ahead, give it to me."

The principal looked down at the young rebel. "How many times have you
been here?"

The child sneered rebelliously, "Apparently not enough."

The principal gave the boy a strange look. "And you have been punished
each time have you not?"

"Yeah, I been punished, if that's what you want to call it." He threw
out his small chest, "Go ahead I can take whatever you dish out. I
always have."

"And no thought of your punishment enters your head the next time you
decide to break the rules does it?"

"Nope, I do whatever I want to do. Ain't nothin you people gonna do to
stop me either."

The principal looked over at the teacher who stood nearby. "What did he
do this time?"

"Fighting. He took little Tommy and shoved his face into the sandbox."

The principal turned to look at the boy, "Why? What did little Tommy do
to you?"

"Nothin, I didn't like the way he was lookin at me, just like I don't
like the way your lookin at me! And if I thought I could do it, I'd
shove your face into something."

The teacher stiffened and started to rise but a quick look from the
principal stopped him. He contemplated the child for a moment and then
quietly said, "Today my young student, is the day you learn about grace."

"Grace? Isn't that what you old people do before you sit down to eat?
I don't need none of your stinkin grace."

"Oh but you do." The principal studied the young mans face and
whispered. "Oh yes, you truly do..." The boy continued to glare as the
principal continued, "Grace, in its short definition is unmerited favor.
You can not earn it, it is a gift and is always freely given. It
means that you will not be getting what you so richly deserve."

The boy looked puzzled. "Your not gonna whup me? You just gonna let me
walk?"

The principal looked down at the unyielding child. "Yes, I am going to
let you walk."

The boy studied the face of the principal, "No punishment at all? Even
though I socked Tommy and shoved his face into the sandbox?"

"Oh, there has to be punishment. What you did was wrong and there are
always consequences to our actions. There will be punishment. Grace is
not an excuse for doing wrong."

"I knew it," Sneered the boy as he held out his hands. "Lets get on
with it."

The principal nodded toward the teacher. "Bring me the belt." The
teacher presented the belt to the principal. He carefully folded it in
two and then handed it back to the teacher. He looked at the child and
said. "I want you to count the blows."

He slid out from behind his desk and walked over to stand directly in
front of the young man. He gently reached out and folded the child's
outstretched, expectant hands together and then turned to face the
teacher with his own hands outstretched.

One quiet word came forth from his mouth. "Begin." The belt whipped
down on the outstretched hands of the principal.

Crack! The young man jumped ten feet in the air. Shock registered
across his face, "One" he whispered. Crack! "Two." His voice raised
an octave. Crack! "Three..." He couldn't believe this. Crack!
"Four." Big tears welled up in the eyes of the rebel. "OK stop!
That's enough. Stop!" Crack! Came the belt down on the callused hands
of the principal.

Crack! The child flinched with each blow, tears beginning to stream
down his face. Crack! Crack! "No please", the former rebel begged,
"Stop, I did it, I'm the one who deserves it. Stop! Please. Stop..."
Still the blows came, Crack! Crack! One after another.

Finally it was over.

The principal stood with sweat glistening across his forehead and beads
trickling down his face. Slowly he knelt down. He studied the young man
for a second and then his swollen hands reached out to cradle the face
of the weeping child.

"Grace..."

-- Author Unknown

[dojilynn]

That is an awesome story, weather. Thank you so much for putting it on here.