The more I learn about grace the more I believe there is to learn. I am convinced that no one on this side of heaven can fully comprehend the meaning or the impact of God’s grace. And the more I see how we as believers often treat each other, the more I realize we have a lot to learn about how to extend grace to one another.
I have often heard the word grace defined as the unmerited favor of God. Allow me to share one example that I think illustrates the truth behind this meaning and points out the difference between justice, mercy, and grace.
Let’s suppose a man is convicted of robbing a bank, knowing that the penalty for doing so is to spend ten years in prison. In this scenario, justice would mean being forced to serve all ten years. Yet if the man threw himself “on the mercy of the court,” he might receive a lighter sentence—something less than the full ten years. However, if the judge chose to extend grace to the man, he might receive no prison time at all.
Thus, for the man in this example: Justice would be to receive what he deserves, Mercy would be to receive less than he deserves, and Grace would be to receive what he doesn’t deserve.
So often, we say we want justice, but in reality we don’t. I believe we sometimes desire justice for others, but certainly not for ourselves, for if we receive what we deserve, we will receive death. Doesn’t the Bible teach “the wages of sin is death”? (Ro. 6:23). Of course, what we really desire is grace—an undeserved and unmerited gift of God. Thankfully that same verse goes on to say, “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
We don’t deserve the inexpressible gift of eternal life in Christ, but God in His great love and by His grace has extended it to us. And I believe it is beyond our finite mental capacity to fully comprehend the riches of God’s grace.
Isn’t it wonderful that we don’t have to fully understand His magnificent grace to receive it and experience it! God’s grace is truly amazing!