Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Lies Against God’s Mercy & Grace Introduction Mercy & grace are two pivotal concepts upon which Biblical Christianity hangs. The devil’s slander against God’s character results in people believing the opposite of what God has said Truth is the foundation, which is why the devil attacks it

Mercy Mercy & grace arise from God’s goodness & love by which His compassion is extended toward the undeserving “Mercy is God’s goodness confronting human suffering and guilt” - A.W. Tozer God’s mercy is an eternal, infinite and unchanging attribute revealed to His creation

Mercy Mercy is often contrasted with its opposite of cruelty - Jer. 6:23; 50:42; Isa. 47:6 God is merciful even in punishment - Jer. 31:20; Ezek. 30:25; Hosea 14:3; Hab. 3:2 Where there is no mercy, there is destruction - Joshua 11:20; Job 16:13

Mercy Mercy can be sought for pity for physical afflictions - Matthew 9:27; 15:22; 17:15; Luke 1:58 Mercy is the withholding of or relief from deserved punishment - Luke 16; 1 Timothy 1:13; Acts 17:30; Titus 3:5 Mercy is withheld from those who reject God’s law & His Son - Hebrews 10:28; Matthew 23:23; 28-35).

Mercy “That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant” – Webster 1828

Mercy God’s compassion confronting man’s misery provides relief for the suffering God’s mercy toward man’s guilt provides a means to satisfy justice & grant forgiveness - Titus 3:3-6; 1 Peter 1:3

Grace Grace is similar to, but different from mercy Grace also arises from God’s goodness & love and is as an eternal, infinite & unchanging attribute revealed to man The Hebrew & Greek words have a basic meaning of showing favor, grace, kindness

Grace Grace is the free unmerited love & favor of God and source of all God’s benefits to men - Romans 11:6 Grace is the favorable influence of God in renewing the heart and restraining from sin - 2 Corinthians 12:9 Grace is the application of Christ’s righteousness to the sinner -Romans 5:20

Grace Grace is the state of being reconciled to God - Romans 5:2 Grace is the nature of Spiritual instruction, improvement and edification - Ephesians 4:29 Grace is eternal life, final salvation - 1 Peter 1:13

Grace Mercy withholds deserved punishment; Grace gives undeserved merit Grace grants the imputed righteousness of Christ, adopts into God’s family, & gives eternal life

Grace Grace is God’s “goodness directed toward human debt and demerit” – A. W. Tozer God’s grace overcomes our sin debt, makes us alive in Him & lifts us up to be fellow heirs with Christ

Satanic Denials of God’s Mercy & Grace Lie: God is the great cosmic killjoy He does not want you to have fun He is anxious to punish your errors Truth: God’s laws are to protect you from sin & its temporal & eternal consequences - 1 John 2:16-17 Proverbs 20:17 - warning to the thief.

Satanic Denials of God’s Mercy & Grace Proverbs 23:31-32 - warnings to the drunk Proverbs 6:32-35; 7:18-23; 9:17-18 - warnings to the sexually immoral Truth: God desires your good (Jeremiah 29:11) & for the wicked to repent, not to die (Ezek. 33:11; 2 Pet. 3:9)

Denials of God’s Mercy & Grace Lie: God cannot forgive your sin. Claimed by legalists of those who violate their standards Believed by people too proud to recognize their sin is against God (Psalm 51:4) & trust Christ alone Believed by those with worldly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10).

Denials of God’s Mercy & Grace Truth: The only lie that cannot be forgiven is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit - Matthew 12:31-32 There can be no repentance and faith without the Holy Spirit’s conviction (John 16:8-11) God’s mercy & grace can extend to the foulest human (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

Over-emphasis on God’ Mercy & Grace Lie: God is required to be merciful and gracious, it’s His job. Truth: God’s forgiveness will always be in harmony with all of His other attributes God forgives and saves because He chooses to do so and has paid the necessary price of His justice Romans 9:15-18.

Over-emphasis on God’ Mercy & Grace Lie: Since God is merciful and gracious, there cannot be eternal damnation in Hell A) There is no Hell B) There is universal salvation Truth: There is a place of eternal punishment - Daniel 12:2; Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 25:31-46; Rev. 20:14-15

Over-emphasis on God’ Mercy & Grace Lie: You deserve God’s mercy & grace because you have the right heritage or belong to the right group Truth: Neither blood heritage nor second-hand faith can save. You will stand alone before God in judgment – 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:13

Over-emphasis on God’ Mercy & Grace Lie: You can earn God’s mercy & grace Truth: If it is earned, it is wages Mercy or grace come as free gifts only that none can boast - 1 Corinthians 1:29; Ephesians 2:8-9

Resting on Truth Salvation from sin is by God’s mercy & grace that come through Jesus Christ God’s mercy & grace are offered free to us, but they come at the price of the life of Jesus Christ Ephesians 2:4-8

Are you resting on God’s grace or in your works? Resting on Truth Are you resting on God’s grace or in your works?

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ