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Tears and Smiles!

(Another post from the past! In our Jesus Discovery Group, we are currently discussing "Grace and Truth" [John 1:14-18]. "[Jesus] came from the Father, full of grace and truth." The OT equivalent is "Mercy and Truth", so I thought I'd share these blog posts which I posted in August 07.)

or.. GOD’S MERCY AND GRACE!
(Continued on from previous posts...)

So let’s look again at the first part of our verse…

“Let not mercy and truth forsake you…” (Proverbs 3:3a)

In the Old Testament there are 2 Hebrew words that are used for mercy. Firstly, the one used here is “chesed”, which is often translated as “lovingkindness” or “steadfast love”. The main idea is a love that is kind, strong and steadfast, and is shown to those who are in a close relationship. This is very similar in meaning to the Greek work “charis”, translated “grace” in the New Testament. God shows His kindness to us, even though we don’t deserve it.

The other word for mercy is “rahamin”, from the verb “raham”, meaning to have compassion, be merciful, or pity. It is the compassion that God has on the sinner who calls on Him. This also has a Greek equivalent in the New Testament, “eleos”, and is also translated mercy.

In lots of passages in the New Testament you can grace and mercy mentioned together. I like what I read in one of my lexicons…

“God’s grace affects man’s sinfulness and not only forgives the repentant sinner, but brings joy and thankfulness to him. (And mercy) is concerned not with the sin itself, but with the misery brought upon the sinner as a consequence of that sin.” (”The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible” by Spiros Zodhiates, p.1886)

So as I see it, grace forgives and gives us a bright new future, a new life, a fresh start, and a relationship with our heavenly Father. Mercy restores us from the damages and hurts of our past. God’s mercy both proceeds and follows His saving grace.

Zodhiates also says,

“In John 3:16, God loved in mercy and gave in grace, but God’s manifestation of grace goes before His mercy.”

And as I see it…
God’s MERCY is His TEARS for us! God’s GRACE is His SMILE on us!!

And one more thought…
God’s GRACE forgives and blesses… God’s MERCY cleans up our messes.

Next, some thoughts about TRUTH…

Tears and Smiles!

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