GRACE is something more than mercy. We can all understand, when once the light of God has entered the soul, discovering to us what we are in His sight, that, as poor sinners, we need mercy. And, thank God, He is "rich in mercy," and "the same Lord of all is rich unto all that call upon Him" (Rom. 10:1212For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (Romans 10:12), Eph. 2:44But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (Ephesians 2:4)). How encouraging is this for you, if you have never yet called upon Him from the bottom of your heart I He refuses none so calling, but welcomes.
It is because we are "guilty before God" that we need mercy. But "grace" is the energy of God's heart in seeking objects on which He may bestow His favor. This might be shown where there is no question of guilt. If I am a criminal, it is, Shall I find mercy? But suppose I am, not a criminal, but an honest, reputable citizen—it is then not a question of the bestowal of "mercy." Yet I might very well, through the kindness of one greatly above me, be taken into his special favor, called forth not by my need, but entirely as springing out of the heart of my benefactor.
This may serve to point out somewhat of the difference between these two words "mercy" and “grace." But whilst we may thus speak as between man and man, it is otherwise as between God and man. We can never but be objects of mercy, for we are all sinners in the first instance; and even when through believing in the Savior we can say, in truth, "according to His mercy He saved" me (Titus 3:55Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5)), and are therefore no longer sinners, but saints (though often failing, alas!), yet do we still look "for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 2121Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 21)). This too is for us at the end of our journey, as we have already "received mercy" now whilst on the way.
But what I particularly desire to press here is, that it is God Himself delighting to make us (unworthy as we are in ourselves) the objects of His grace "or favor. It is Himself who receives us thus" to the praise of the glory of His grace." It is the joy and satisfaction of His heart so to bless us, both now and forever.
And this grace of God is "salvation"! How great, too, is this salvation! For salvation means, not that we are hoping to be saved, but that we know that we are saved now, and can give thanks to the Father who " hath 'made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love; in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins "(Col. 1:12-1412Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:12‑14) Oh, neglect it not, for otherwise how shall we escape? Rest not, then, I pray you, dear unsaved soul, until you can truly say," According to His mercy He saved "me. So will you give thanks to God for the unspeakable gift of the Lord Jesus Christ," who gave Himself a ransom for all “(1 Tim. 2:66Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1 Timothy 2:6)).
E. G. G.