Can Justice and Mercy Coexist?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NIV)
Often used in the context of social justice, this passage reads like a road map for righteous living. With three imperative verbs, the verse gives us step-by-step directives: act justly, love mercy, walk humbly.
What catches my attention is the juxtaposition of two ideas: justice and mercy. These seem like contrasting terms. Though they are not complete opposites, justice and mercy are not exactly copacetic. To act mercifully means to forgo justice, or at least it seems that way. Can justice and mercy coexist?
In the minds of some, justice outweighs mercy. It is not that they oppose mercy, they just err on the side of justice. Their motto might be “Actions have consequences.” They say things like “You should have thought of that before you [insert dumb decision here].” These are your tough love people. For them, it is obvious: when you play foolish games, you win foolish prizes. They believe people should be held accountable; the punishment should fit the crime.
This is not unbiblical. Scripture tells us that a man who does not work should not eat. There are verses all throughout the Bible that speak of God’s retribution, his wrath, even his vengeance. God repays each person according to what they have done. Jesus himself gave people strong rebukes, reminding the Pharisees that they would reap what they sowed.
In the minds of others, mercy outweighs justice. They recognize the value of justice, but they err on the side of mercy. Their motto might be “Everyone deserves a second chance.” They say things like “Be kind, for every person you meet is fighting a hard battle.” These are your tender-hearted people. For them, it is obvious: I live in a glass house, so I do not throw stones. They consider extenuating circumstances. They are the overlookers, the persistent forgivers.
This is also not unbiblical. Love is kind and long-suffering. Jesus himself reminds us to be merciful just as our heavenly father is merciful. When faced with the hurting people of his day, Jesus was moved by their pain, and he met it with compassion. Jesus never said, “You made your bed, now lie in it.”
Those who err on the side of mercy might be accused of being wishy-washy or enablers. Mercy-givers could use the gentle reminder that we serve a God who is just at his very core. His character includes a zealous demand for justice. It is OK to hold someone accountable for their actions. Sometimes, the most loving thing you can do is to withhold mercy and to enact justice.
Those who err on the side of justice might also be accused of being harsh or cold. Justice-givers could use a gentle reminder that our God delights in mercy. If God treated us as our sins deserve, who could stand? We have been the recipients of mercy; we have been forgiven much. It is because of God’s endless and daily mercy that we are not consumed.
A just God says, “Your sin deserves punishment.”
A merciful God says, “I will not punish you as your sins deserve.”
Which God do we serve? Both.
Our God is full of uncompromising justice and overwhelming mercy at the same time. He is the only one who can act justly and extend mercy simultaneously.
There is only one way that he could accomplish this: through the death of his son, Jesus Christ. The death of Jesus means that God can say, “I will be merciful to you because the debt for your sins has been justly paid in full.”
Our God gives mercy at the right time and acts justly at the right time. None of us get it right consistently; only God does. But if we are walking humbly, he will guide us along, giving us direction each step of the way.
lives in Michigan with her husband and four (soon to be five!) children. She is a lover of music, language, and all things thought-provoking. She is a witness and testimony to God’s redemptive grace.
Photograph © Elena Mozhvilo, used with permission
