Justice vs. Mercy
Justice is a quality of being just, rectitude, fairness, just treatment, merited reward or
punishment. Justice is the practice of what is right and just. Justice or judgment
specifies what is right, not only as measured by a code of law, but also by what makes
for right relationships as well as harmony and peace. God rewards come to those who
practice justice in al their dealings with others (Amos 5:24) “let justice run down like
water, and righteousness like a mighty stream”.
Mercy is a willingness to spare or forgive; clemency; pity. Mercy is a divine quality in
which unworthy people receive grace. God faithfully keeps His promises. He maintains
His relationship with His chosen people despite their unworthiness and unfaithfulness
(Ephesians 2:1-5) “and you has He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.
Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lust of our flesh;
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of
wrath; even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He
loved us. Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, by
grace you are saved”. It is the remembrance of God’s mercy that gives the repentant
person the hope and assurance of divine favor and of reconciliation with the offended
Lord.
Unforgiveness draws you away from mercy, in fact in the Lord’s prayer we ask God to
forgive us as we forgive others (Matthew 6:12); in verses 14-15 the Bible says “for is
you forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you
forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”.
Mark echoes this (Mark 11:25-26), “and when you stand praying, forgive, if you have
anything against any, that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your
trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven
forgive your trespasses”.
The devil tries continually to get people into strife, and unforgiveness but the choice is
yours. Remember the Bible says that “for where envying and strife is, there is
confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16).
We will sometimes get angry, but the Bible says “Be you angry, and sin not; let not the
sun go down upon your wrath. Neither give place to the devil. Let no corrupt
communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of
edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of
God, whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath,
and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And
be you kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another even as God for
Christ’s sake has forgiven you”.
Jesus tells us to pray for those who hurt us (Matthew 5:43-45) “you have heard that it
has been said, you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. But I say to you,
love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray
for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. That you may be the children
of your Father which is in heaven; for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the
good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust”.
Will you take the position of judge, judging others for their deeds? Believers are never
to take over the task of judgment, that belongs to God alone (Hebrews 10:30) “for we
know Him that has said, vengeance belongs to Me, I will recompense, says the Lord,
and again the Lord shall judge His people”. We should not judge others’ salvation;
that is God’s work. Because God is merciful, He expects His children to be merciful
(Matthew 5:7) “blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy”. This is a law of
God and in Galatians 6:7-9 says “be not deceived; God is not mocked, for whatsoever
a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh
reap corruption; but he that sows to the spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”.
The decision you take will lead you into death or life (Proverbs 21:21), “he that follows
after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness and honor”.
God’s judgment comes according to His own timing. Although God does not usually
punish us immediately for sin, His eventual judgment is certain. We don’t know exactly
when it will happen, but we know that no one will escape that final encounter with the
Creator. Paul made mistakes persecuting the church, but after his convergence on
the road to Damascus, he preached Jesus as Lord, and showed that God is long
suffering not wanting one to perish. Paul writes to Timothy in I Timothy 1:16 “however
for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all
longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life
everlasting”.
We can learn from this because when the devil uses people to come against you,
remember that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, and pray that their eyes be
opened (Ephesians 1:17-19).
Jesus said “judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you
shall be judged, and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.
And why behold you the mote that is in your brother’s eye, but consider not the beam
that is in your own eye? Or how will you say to your brother, let me pull out the mote
out of your eye, and behold a beam is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first cast out
the beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out
of your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:1-5). And in Luke 6:37-38, He says “judge not, and
you shall not be judged, condemn not and you shall not be condemned; forgive and
you shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given to you, good measure, pressed down
and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the
same measure that you mete withal it shall be measured to you again”. We are not
capable of judging others because we do not know their heart.
You can’t judge people for their deeds, and then at the same time cry out for mercy for
your deeds. James calls that a double minded man (James 1:8).
Keep yourself in the position of mercy. Peter asked Jesus a question, he said, Lord,
how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus
says to him; I say not to you, until seven times, but, until seventy times seven”
(Matthew 18:21-22). Jesus then told the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew
18:23-35), “therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, which would
take account of his servants. As he began to reckon, one was brought to him, which
owed him ten thousand talents. But he didn’t have the money and asked for mercy,
then the lord of that servant had compassion and loosed him, and forgave him his
debt. But the same servant saw another servant who owed him a hundred pence, also
asked him for mercy, but he refused and had him put into prison. When his fellow
servants saw it, they told his master and he told the servant, O you wicked servant, I
forgave you al that debt, should not you also have had compassion on your fellow
servant, even as I had pit on you? Verse 35 says “so likewise shall My heavenly Father
do also to you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their
trespasses”.
Jesus our example, asked for forgiveness for those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34),
“then said Jesus, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”.
Peoples responsibility to show mercy to others. God has freely extended His mercy to
people despite their unworthiness or unfaithfulness. As a result, they should respond
by showing mercy to others, even though they do not deserve it or seek it. Indeed,
people are commanded to be merciful. God regards mercy more than sacrifice. God’s
mercy in Christ actually puts people under obligation to act toward others as God
Himself has acted toward them. The Lord made mercy a foundation for His teaching.
Members of the church are to show compassion and practical concern for each other.
Christians believe in atonement, the idea that God demanded payment for humanity’s
sin and sent His Son to deal with this problem in humanity’s place. The Son willingly
placed Himself under God’s judgment, and He received God’s punishment for our sin in
our place (Galatians 3:13). Jesus died for the sins of the whole world (John 3:16-17).
Let us examine ourselves and see if we are holding any unforgiveness against any
one, and take the time to repent and do whatever we have to do to reconcile.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: July 24, 2009
Justice is a quality of being just, rectitude, fairness, just treatment, merited reward or
punishment. Justice is the practice of what is right and just. Justice or judgment
specifies what is right, not only as measured by a code of law, but also by what makes
for right relationships as well as harmony and peace. God rewards come to those who
practice justice in al their dealings with others (Amos 5:24) “let justice run down like
water, and righteousness like a mighty stream”.
Mercy is a willingness to spare or forgive; clemency; pity. Mercy is a divine quality in
which unworthy people receive grace. God faithfully keeps His promises. He maintains
His relationship with His chosen people despite their unworthiness and unfaithfulness
(Ephesians 2:1-5) “and you has He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.
Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lust of our flesh;
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of
wrath; even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He
loved us. Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, by
grace you are saved”. It is the remembrance of God’s mercy that gives the repentant
person the hope and assurance of divine favor and of reconciliation with the offended
Lord.
Unforgiveness draws you away from mercy, in fact in the Lord’s prayer we ask God to
forgive us as we forgive others (Matthew 6:12); in verses 14-15 the Bible says “for is
you forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you
forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”.
Mark echoes this (Mark 11:25-26), “and when you stand praying, forgive, if you have
anything against any, that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your
trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven
forgive your trespasses”.
The devil tries continually to get people into strife, and unforgiveness but the choice is
yours. Remember the Bible says that “for where envying and strife is, there is
confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16).
We will sometimes get angry, but the Bible says “Be you angry, and sin not; let not the
sun go down upon your wrath. Neither give place to the devil. Let no corrupt
communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of
edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of
God, whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath,
and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And
be you kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another even as God for
Christ’s sake has forgiven you”.
Jesus tells us to pray for those who hurt us (Matthew 5:43-45) “you have heard that it
has been said, you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. But I say to you,
love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray
for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. That you may be the children
of your Father which is in heaven; for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the
good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust”.
Will you take the position of judge, judging others for their deeds? Believers are never
to take over the task of judgment, that belongs to God alone (Hebrews 10:30) “for we
know Him that has said, vengeance belongs to Me, I will recompense, says the Lord,
and again the Lord shall judge His people”. We should not judge others’ salvation;
that is God’s work. Because God is merciful, He expects His children to be merciful
(Matthew 5:7) “blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy”. This is a law of
God and in Galatians 6:7-9 says “be not deceived; God is not mocked, for whatsoever
a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh
reap corruption; but he that sows to the spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”.
The decision you take will lead you into death or life (Proverbs 21:21), “he that follows
after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness and honor”.
God’s judgment comes according to His own timing. Although God does not usually
punish us immediately for sin, His eventual judgment is certain. We don’t know exactly
when it will happen, but we know that no one will escape that final encounter with the
Creator. Paul made mistakes persecuting the church, but after his convergence on
the road to Damascus, he preached Jesus as Lord, and showed that God is long
suffering not wanting one to perish. Paul writes to Timothy in I Timothy 1:16 “however
for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all
longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life
everlasting”.
We can learn from this because when the devil uses people to come against you,
remember that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, and pray that their eyes be
opened (Ephesians 1:17-19).
Jesus said “judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you
shall be judged, and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.
And why behold you the mote that is in your brother’s eye, but consider not the beam
that is in your own eye? Or how will you say to your brother, let me pull out the mote
out of your eye, and behold a beam is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first cast out
the beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the mote out
of your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:1-5). And in Luke 6:37-38, He says “judge not, and
you shall not be judged, condemn not and you shall not be condemned; forgive and
you shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given to you, good measure, pressed down
and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the
same measure that you mete withal it shall be measured to you again”. We are not
capable of judging others because we do not know their heart.
You can’t judge people for their deeds, and then at the same time cry out for mercy for
your deeds. James calls that a double minded man (James 1:8).
Keep yourself in the position of mercy. Peter asked Jesus a question, he said, Lord,
how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus
says to him; I say not to you, until seven times, but, until seventy times seven”
(Matthew 18:21-22). Jesus then told the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew
18:23-35), “therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, which would
take account of his servants. As he began to reckon, one was brought to him, which
owed him ten thousand talents. But he didn’t have the money and asked for mercy,
then the lord of that servant had compassion and loosed him, and forgave him his
debt. But the same servant saw another servant who owed him a hundred pence, also
asked him for mercy, but he refused and had him put into prison. When his fellow
servants saw it, they told his master and he told the servant, O you wicked servant, I
forgave you al that debt, should not you also have had compassion on your fellow
servant, even as I had pit on you? Verse 35 says “so likewise shall My heavenly Father
do also to you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their
trespasses”.
Jesus our example, asked for forgiveness for those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34),
“then said Jesus, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”.
Peoples responsibility to show mercy to others. God has freely extended His mercy to
people despite their unworthiness or unfaithfulness. As a result, they should respond
by showing mercy to others, even though they do not deserve it or seek it. Indeed,
people are commanded to be merciful. God regards mercy more than sacrifice. God’s
mercy in Christ actually puts people under obligation to act toward others as God
Himself has acted toward them. The Lord made mercy a foundation for His teaching.
Members of the church are to show compassion and practical concern for each other.
Christians believe in atonement, the idea that God demanded payment for humanity’s
sin and sent His Son to deal with this problem in humanity’s place. The Son willingly
placed Himself under God’s judgment, and He received God’s punishment for our sin in
our place (Galatians 3:13). Jesus died for the sins of the whole world (John 3:16-17).
Let us examine ourselves and see if we are holding any unforgiveness against any
one, and take the time to repent and do whatever we have to do to reconcile.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: July 24, 2009
