The Need for both Mercy
and Justice
A proper balance of both justice and mercy,
which appear to be opposite concepts, is necessary to our well being. To begin,
the definition of justice is “The virtue
which consists of giving to every one what is his due . . .” In contrast,
mercy is described as the “. . .
benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to
overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the
disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive
punishment, or inflict less than law or justice . . .” Both justice and
mercy are needed in order for a country, a family, or a life to survive. For
example, a parent must be just when a child has willingly done wrong; yet when
their child comes before them with a repentant and broken soul asking for a
pardon, shall it not be given or at least the punishment lovingly, and perhaps
more gently, continued? Christ is the same way, His justice is needed and will
be executed at the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11-15); but Christ’s mercy covers
us of the eternal punishment of our sins. Neither extreme is good, right, or
pure: the extreme of mercy leads to compromise and an “anything goes”
mentality; whereas, the extreme of justice leads to legalism and a “no pardon –
ever!” mentality. Thus, we must be just and yet have an element of mercy in our
lives; otherwise our countries, lives, and families will cease to live healthily
and vibrantly.
*Definitions are taken from Noah
Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of
the English Language.
