OPC'n
Puritan Board Doctor
I'm in the beginnings of writing about mercy mainly for myself to help me understand its full meaning both in God's usage and man's usage which I think can be both different and the same. I wanted to start by having a clear definition of mercy and also having a clear definition of grace, because although they sometimes can be used interchangeably, I also think there are distinct differences.
I'm buying a book on biblical definitions to help guide me but I thought I would post a broad definition of both mercy and grace and make sure I was on the right starting point.
God's grace: is the gift of salvation which is given to his elect (justification, sanctification, and glorification).
God's mercy: God's decision to extend saving grace to his elect, God's decision to gently sanctify his people, God's decision to uphold his creation and give to all that it needs, God's decision to give all of mankind those things they need to survive on earth, God's decision to give good things to mankind, God decision to give or not to give us our wants, and God's decision to not always and immediately extend his wrath upon the unelected for every sin they commit while on this earth (for example, there are those who have committed murder and lived a full and enjoyable life without having to pay for that sin while here on earth but will in hell).
Man's grace: showing kindness to those who show kindness to you, good manners, etc
Man's mercy: showing kindness, patience, empathy, love, helpfulness, generosity, etc to those who don't deserve mercy and/or to those who are vulnerable and cannot help themselves.
I'm buying a book on biblical definitions to help guide me but I thought I would post a broad definition of both mercy and grace and make sure I was on the right starting point.
God's grace: is the gift of salvation which is given to his elect (justification, sanctification, and glorification).
God's mercy: God's decision to extend saving grace to his elect, God's decision to gently sanctify his people, God's decision to uphold his creation and give to all that it needs, God's decision to give all of mankind those things they need to survive on earth, God's decision to give good things to mankind, God decision to give or not to give us our wants, and God's decision to not always and immediately extend his wrath upon the unelected for every sin they commit while on this earth (for example, there are those who have committed murder and lived a full and enjoyable life without having to pay for that sin while here on earth but will in hell).
Man's grace: showing kindness to those who show kindness to you, good manners, etc
Man's mercy: showing kindness, patience, empathy, love, helpfulness, generosity, etc to those who don't deserve mercy and/or to those who are vulnerable and cannot help themselves.
