Lately I have been struggling with understanding how God can send his Son as a substitute for my sins. Even though I know I have been born again. I sometimes slip out a curse word, I am often impatient with my family, and I still have fears and pride in my heart. I promise not to do something and I do that exact same thing within days sometimes within hours. "I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good." (Romans 7:21) Therefore I was very confused as to how Jesus had saved someone like me. The first thing I received from God as a direct answer to this was to read the book of Galatians. The second thing happened this morning. I was driving past a hospital and the last speed limit I had seen said "50 mph". The next thing I saw was blue lights. The officer told me I was going almost 60 in a 35 mph zone. I gave him my license and he came back and said "I am going to let you go this time". My mind immediately went towards the concept of grace and mercy. In short I have been stopped by police officers in traffic about 4 times and each time I have received mercy. I began to put two and two together. I realized that 1.) The wages of sin is death. (speeding, running a red light, etc=a ticket!) 2.) I have earned death (I have clearly earned a speeding ticket, I was speeding!) 3.) Grace and Mercy took my place- I have received an indescribable gift ( I didn't ask for the officer to let me go, I didn't cry, I couldn't come up with a reason for him to let me off. I just accepted that I didn't get a ticket). WOW!! All I have to do is accept it. "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15) I found this quote on a blog today.

What is the difference between grace and mercy?

Driving to work today, I heard a sermonette on what is the difference between grace and mercy. Grace is what God gives that we don't deserve. Mercy is what God doesn't give that we do deserve.

For example. Suppose I was speeding on the highway and a policeman pulls me over. If he doesn't give me a ticket, then he gave me mercy. If he gives me a $100 bill, then he gave me grace.

As sinners, we deserve punishment. But, by God's mercy, He withholds judgment.

Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

We don't deserve God's goodness, but instead He has lavished grace upon us.

Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
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Grace is often distinguished from mercy in that mercy is seen as not receiving punishment that one deserves to receive, whereas grace is the receipt of a positive benefit that one does not deserve to receive.
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