I wanted to do a bit of study on this issue as I have always thought Mercy and Grace are two different attributes of God. In the blog thread of Bob’s it was stated several times that they are one and the same and there is no difference between them.
I went to a study that I am currently in with a friend……..”The Attributes of God” by AW Pink. It has been enormously edifying to study the attributes of God. We hadn’t gotten as far as His Grace and Mercy so I turned ahead to read His views and found one who separates the two attributes and at the same time doesn’t hold to ‘common grace’. “God’s Mercy originates in His goodness”
Pink:
“Grace is a perfection of the divine character which is exercised only toward the elect. Neither in the OT nor in the New is the grace of God ever mentioned in connection with mankind generally, still less with the lower orders of His creatures. In this it is distinguished from ‘mercy’, for the mercy of God is ‘over all His works”.
He goes on in the chapter on Mercy to explain why he believes there is a difference in the two attributes, although admittedly hard to perceive.
“It is a help to consider His dealings with the unfallen angels. He has never exercised mercy towards them, for they have never stood in any need thereof, not having sinned or come beneath the effects of the curse. Yet , they certainly are the objects of God’s free and sovereign Grace…………..because of their election, their preservation from apostasy and their exalted position to live in God’s immediate presence”.
“First, there is a general mercy of God, extended not only to all men, believers’ and unbelievers alike, but also to the entire creation……Psalm 145:9 “The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works”……. Acts 17:25..”He giveth to all life, and breath and all things” Acts 17.25.. He has pity upon the brute creation in their need, and supplies them with suitable provisions. Secondly there is a special mercy of God which is exercised toward the children of men, helping and succoring them, notwithstanding their sins. To them also He communicates all the necessities of life: “for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt 5:45). Thirdly, there is a sovereign mercy which is reserved for the heirs of salvation, which is communicated to them in a covenant way, through the Mediator.
He makes a plain statement that the mercy shown to the reprobate is a temporal mercy, confined strictly to this life.
There is much more but I won’t post anymore of it as I know that there will be no agreement forthcoming. If you have read this far, I thank you as this will be my last post and visit. I have learned so much, asked questions that I wondered about for years, been treated with respect and grown in the Grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. One great stride for me has been that I learned how to search the scriptures and to utilize all the resources the Lord has placed before me, for that I am so thankful as that will benefit me greatly all my days. Ahhhhhh, to search the scriptures, what a privilege and joy!
There is however something missing and I’m not sure what it is other than perhaps I don’t consider myself a hyper this or that or an absolute this or a predestenarian, high grace sovereignst that. I do consider myself as elect and chosen by God , a child of the King , a believer, a sheep under the Good Shepherds care, a pilgrim and a sojourner in a place that is not my home being led along the path to the place Jesus has prepared for me.
Thanks for the kindness!
Sola Gratia
Eileen~
Originally Posted by Eileen
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