Undeserved

Romans 8:1 – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

I'm embarrassed to admit that I was recently stopped for speeding. After looking over the necessary papers, the police officer asked me if I had ever had a speeding ticket before. I told him that I had had one other ticket in my life. Then he asked me why I was in such a hurry. I said that I had no particular reason to be hurrying. The next thing that he said took me completely by surprise. He said that he was going to let me off with a warning. I thanked him very much, and he went on his way.

As I continued on to my destination, I was thinking about how grateful I was that I didn't have to pay an expensive ticket. I certainly didn't deserve to avoid it!

Similarly, we don't get what we deserve from God. We deserve His anger and His condemnation, but because of God's mercy and grace, we receive His love and forgiveness. We are all sinners, but God loves us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the price for our sins — my sins and your sins. We deserve to die, but God's gift to us is eternal life when we believe in Jesus and ask Him into our hearts and lives.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (NIV)

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

Grace:
receiving what we don't deserve

Mercy:

not receiving what we do deserve

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You and praise You for Your amazing love and grace. We are so grateful that we don't get what we deserve, but instead we receive Your mercy and forgiveness. Help us to show kindness to others, even if they don't always deserve it. In Jesus' name. Amen.