Mercy & Justice
January 28, 2001
Dear Friends:
Just about anyone who has spent any time reading the Bible comes quickly to the conclusion that a large part of the life of a disciple is trying to properly balance one Biblical principle with another. One of the more evident balancing acts is justice and mercy.
We can recall account after account of how Israel failed to uphold God’s judgment on sin. Their toleration of idolatry and immorality brought them disaster time and time again. In the New Testament, the writers continually chide the ecclesias for being lax in doctrine and walk. In Revelation 2:20, Christ decries the tolerant attitude of the ecclesia at Thyatira. “‘But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray, so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.” (NASB)
Yet, in spite of all of the admonition for justice, the Bible is equally full of teachings concerning mercy. The word “mercy” occurs 276 times in the Bible. The first occurrence in the New Testament is at the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus tells his disciples “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” One of the most basic qualities of our God is mercy. “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” (Ps. 103:8) Godly wisdom is “full of mercy.” (James 3:17)
So how do we uphold God’s justice and be merciful at the same time?
It is easy for us to err on the side of mercy and adopt an “anything goes” mentality. Yet, this does not seem in keeping with the character of the prophets, apostles or Christ. They all spoke out loudly and often concerning right teaching and conduct.
We can easily adopt the “God’s vigilante” mentality. We can make it our job to sniff out, expose and punish any deviation from the Divine standard of doctrine or morality. This too is sadly lacking in a balanced perspective. James and John needed to learn this when they wanted to command fire to come from heaven to destroy the Samaritans who would not receive Christ. Jesus “turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” (Luke 9:55,56)
Perhaps the proper balance is no better illustrated than in Christ’s example of the woman taken in adultery. It shows that God’s moral standard was upheld while mercy was shown.
In the account, a woman is caught in the act of adultery in John 8. In seeking to defame Jesus, the Pharisees and scribes bring her to Jesus to see what he will do. His first act is to destroy the misguided vigilante mentality. “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her,” Jesus says. After they have gone, Jesus asks her, “Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?” She responds “No man, Lord.” In upholding God’s Divine standard, Jesus tells her, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” By telling her to sin no more, Jesus upholds the righteousness of God. By showing mercy, he demonstrates his Father’s character.
So how do we uphold God’s justice and be merciful at the same time? The answer is the easily stated, but harder to do. Be merciful without changing the Divinely instituted standards of doctrine and morality. Work only for the eternal salvation of all those involved.
Mercy is not necessarily tolerance of sin nor is justice necessarily intolerance toward an individual. Mercy and justice meet at repentance. No more, no less.
Have a great week!
