Every one that has been around the church has heard of these three words law, mercy, and grace. But very few people understand the real meaning behind them. Do you think you know what they mean?

Well if you do know then you are ahead of most people that attend church. Your view of law, mercy, and grace will determine how you deal with others and how God deals with you.

The Law is given to us as a command from God so that we can obey. The law is defined as rules or precepts given to us to effect our conduct and practices. According to Romans 3 God’s law was given to show us that we are not justified. It shows us our sin and shortcomings before our holy God.

Mercy is given to those who do not deserve it. Mercy means to willingly spare or forgive someone that is not worthy of it. Matthew 5:7 says “The merciful shall obtain mercy.” In order to give mercy, a person must know the Father of mercy, 2 Cor.1:3.

Grace is a gift given to all that trust Christ. Grace means to show favor, kindness to someone by giving them more then they can ever think about repaying. It is a pardon shown in place of payment that is due. The obligation is forgiven and given in it’s place is something of more value and great worth in which the receiver is not deserving.

It is said that marriage is like our relationship to God. Some have a good relationship and some have a bad one. It is said in a humorous way that, a man is incomplete until he’s married …..then he’s finished.

Your relationship to God is much the same way. It can be good based on grace or bad based on law or in the middle based on mercy.

1 Tim. 1:9- “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, …. .” The law is in place for people that don’t want to obey it or God.

The scripture tells of the promises Christ has made with all who trust him as Lord. Every true Christian will come to know that the key to pleasing God lies not in what they must do for Him, but in their response to what He(Jesus) has already done for them.

Sadly though, many people prefer to please God through their acts. Even those who are worshipping the true God sometimes think they can meet God’s standard through their own efforts. Some try to meet God’s standard with a set of rules. To measure up they institute a strict code of conduct or a list of private to do lists believing that if they stick to it they will satisfy the Lord.

While good works play an important role in our faithfulness as a Christian toward God but alone they do not meet his standard. All of God’s standards are in Christ Jesus and His work on the cross are His only satisfying level.

God’s only standard which He honors are in His Son Christ Jesus. He(God) only honors Jesus Christ and the work on the cross when He died, was buried, and was raised with all power. What are your views concerning Jesus Christ and His death, burial and ressurrection?

God is looking and is always directing His attention to every person’s response to Christ. Each person’s attitude and beliefs about Christ determines whether God will honor that person. What are your views and motives concerning Christ? Do you believe in Christ dying for the forgiveness of your sins?

Do you want God to honor you? Honoring God means honoring His Son. Honoring Christ is the measuring standard that reveals the purity of your motives. Honoring the Son by trusting Him and obeying His commands should be all because of the love you have for Him.

What He has done for you should create a high degree of commitment to obey him. It is not measured by your efforts. It’s measured strictly by what he has done and your understanding of it. God will honor you for honoring Christ.

Honoring God reminds me of this illustration. A girl asks, “Do you love me?” The boy response, “Yes Dear.” The girl asks, “Would you die for me?” The boy’s answer, “No, mine is an undying love.” The boy quickly responds to make up for his unwise answer said, “But I love you terribly.” To which the girl said, “You certainly do.”

Are you dealing with others by law, mercy or grace? If you deal with them with law then justice must by applied. If you deal with them with mercy then you let them off the hook when they wrong you.

But if you deal with them with grace you are giving them an expensive gift in return for wronging you. If you give grace to others it shows you have received grace from God. Better yet God will continue giving you greater grace each day.

Ephesians 2:8,9- “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Because God is a God of grace we should be willing to give others another chance just as God did us. He poured His forgiving love on us after we had completely blown it, so then we should turn and do others the same way. Show them God’s mighty grace.