IT HAS been said that grace is getting what we don’t deserve, while mercy is not getting what we do deserve. Perhaps the story of Jean will help to illustrate this.
Jean’s parents were very poor, and as with many of his social level poverty became a stepping stone to crime. Jean stole for a living, he even stole bread to feed his sister’s starving family. Caught by the police he was sent to jail; then after some years in prison he was paroled.
But Jean learned through these experiences the truth of Scripture, that “the way of the transgressor is hard” (Prov. 13:1515Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard. (Proverbs 13:15)). Though free again he found that no one wanted anything to do with an ex-convict. In the midst of his despair he found a friend in the kindly bishop who welcomed him to his home. The tender-hearted bishop showed Jean no little kindness. This was grace — unmerited favor or undeserved love.
But the human heart is untrustworthy; Scripture says it is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:99The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)). One day Jean disappeared. Then it was discovered one of the bishop’s most valued treasures was also missing. Apprehended again by the police Jean was found with the lost article in his possession.
However, the bishop’s tender heart still went out to Jean and he would not press the charge against him. He freely forgave the young culprit, who had not only taken what was not his own but had abused the confidence placed in him. Instead of sending Jean to jail the bishop freely forgave him and welcomed him back. That was mercy, was it not?
And is not this an illustration of God’s ways with sinners like ourselves? God by His Spirit works repentance in our souls, and He frankly and freely forgives all who believe on His Son who died for sinners. Salvation, full and free, is offered to all. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7). Those who have Christ as their Saviour can say, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Rom. 8:3131What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).
The kindly bishop forgave and welcomed Jean back, but God has done far more for those who trust in Jesus. Not only do we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins, but He has united us to Christ forever, and there is a home prepared for us in heaven to which He is soon going to bring us, where we shall sing forever the praises of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.
ML-12/02/1973