Skip to content Justice vs Mercy. This is a question as a parent of three children, with a fourth on the way, that I often ponder. Is it better to be merciful to my children and offer grace continually, or should I emphasize teaching them about justice and fairness?
Which one is more important? In parenting, should I prioritize one over the other? How about in my interactions with peers, within society, or even with my enemies? The answer lies in balancing both.
Jesus Christ exemplifies how this balance is possible. Through His teachings and example, we learn the importance of both mercy and justice. Understanding and integrating these principles can guide us in nurturing our children, fostering relationships with others, and contributing to a just and compassionate society.
To be Just
We all have an ingrained emotional response to the need for justice. From a young age, we cry “unfair” at the slightest infraction, a behavior I often observe in my own children. Our desire to correct wrongs in our homes and in the world is natural and significant. Societies are rife with examples of riots and wars sparked by perceived injustices, underscoring humanity’s collective demand for justice.
This demand for fairness is fundamentally good. A just world allows everyone to navigate an already challenging existence with a bit less pain. When wrongs are righted, or when there is appropriate punishment for wrongdoing, it restores balance to our sense of fairness. Indeed, when someone hurts us, our impulse to lash out or seek revenge is a manifestation of our inner sense of justice. To make things right is to be just.
To be Merciful
We have all experienced times when it was difficult to forgive those who have hurt us. Carrying the burden of resentment, however, eats away at us. This is because the part of us that thirsts for justice remains unsatisfied. While the desire for justice is very human, it can also be toxic if not balanced with mercy. It is only when we choose mercy over justice in those moments that we find peace.
We all desire mercy for our own transgressions. Most people understand that we are not perfect and that we have all hurt someone at some point. Yet, the standard for justice we apply to others doesn’t always extend to ourselves. We long for a second chance, an opportunity to be forgiven.
Opposing Forces: Justice vs Mercy
The issue is that justice and mercy are opposing concepts. Perfect justice removes all signs of mercy. When an evil occurs, justice requires punishment—a fair retribution equivalent to the transgression. For example, if someone punches another person, justice demands equal retribution. Should they be punched back or spend a night in jail? In the case of murder, a night in jail would not satisfy our sense of justice. Offering mercy in such cases stands in stark contrast to what justice demands. Forgiving and absolving a murderer is difficult, if not impossible, for many to accept.
Though we thirst for justice, we also desire mercy. Strict justice is unattainable. While we can strive for a fairer society, we cannot achieve perfect justice because we all carry sin in our past and future. If every sin were punished, all human beings would end up in jail or executed. Thus, true and complete justice cannot be realized.
Moreover, meaningful relationships would be impossible if we had to pay for all our wrongdoings. Every time I am short with my wife or kids, demanding punishment would be impractical, where a simple apology might suffice. That apology is a request for mercy when, in fact, I deserve punishment.
Why we Need Perfect Justice and Infinite Mercy
However, there is an unsettling feeling that some wrongs demand more than what is done to address them. There are many horrible sins and injustices in the world for which no amount of apologies, prison time, or even capital punishment seems sufficient. We crave a form of justice that fully satisfies everyone involved. This deep-seated need for justice is essential to our peace of mind, and without it, we cannot rest.
On the flip side, we also need infinite mercy because we are full of sin and in constant need of forgiveness. Every time we mess up, act in self-interest at the expense of others, or exploit someone (even unintentionally, such as through the products we buy), we contribute to the dysfunction and injustice of our world.
Understanding this fully reveals that we deserve death—figuratively or literally—for our injustices. Yet, we also need compassion from those we have wronged.
These opposing forces of justice and mercy are not easily reconciled, yet we need both to the fullest extent. Without justice, wrongs remain unaddressed, and without mercy, our sins condemn us.
Why Jesus fulfills this Need
There is a solution to this dilemma: God’s mercy and justice are both fulfilled through Christ Jesus. Jesus demonstrates both infinite mercy and perfect justice. Our God, who demands perfection, unleashes the justice meant for all of us upon Jesus, our representative. God does this by turning His back on Jesus and carrying out the punishment of death. In this act, the just God displays His kindness and compassion for humanity. Through Christ, God punishes not us sinners, but the innocent person of Jesus. Because of this, we have salvation. God does not replace justice with mercy, but rather fulfills both.
God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.- Romans 3: 25-26
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. – Ephesians 2: 4-5
How this Changes us
When we understand that all wrongs are made right through Jesus, we grasp the suffering and significance of His death. We also realize that we have been forgiven for our mistakes, freeing us from shame and guilt. We can stand boldly in righteousness and show compassion to those who have sinned against us or our society.
This understanding compels us to treat others with tremendous compassion. We uphold laws and rules not merely out of obligation but out of a deep sense of justice and mercy instilled by our faith.
For example, when someone wrongs us, instead of seeking revenge or holding a grudge, we choose to forgive, reflecting the mercy we’ve received through Christ. If a colleague at work makes a mistake, instead of condemning them, we offer support and help them learn from their error. In our communities, we advocate for fair treatment and justice for all, recognizing that everyone deserves mercy and a second chance.
Additionally, when we see social injustices, such as discrimination or inequality, we are moved to act not just because it is the right thing to do, but because we are inspired by Christ’s example of sacrificial love. This might involve volunteering our time, donating to causes that promote justice, or simply standing up against wrongs when we witness them. Our actions are driven by a desire to extend the same grace and justice we have received to others.
In personal relationships, understanding the balance of justice and mercy helps us navigate conflicts with a spirit of reconciliation and love. When we wrong others, we seek their forgiveness and strive to make amends, knowing that true justice involves restoration and healing, not merely punishment.
Ultimately, living in this balance allows us to reflect God’s character in our daily lives, promoting a more compassionate, just, and loving world.
Check out this article: JESUS AND RELIGION-THE DIFFERENCE AND WHY ITS IMPORTANT
Conclusions
Jesus Christ exemplifies this balance. His teachings and life demonstrate how to integrate both justice and mercy in our lives. By following His example, we can nurture our children, foster healthy relationships, and contribute to a just and compassionate society. Through understanding His sacrifice, we learn the significance of forgiveness, freeing ourselves from guilt and enabling us to show compassion.
This balance compels us to treat others with tremendous compassion, uphold laws with integrity, and seek justice not out of obligation but from a profound sense of fairness and mercy. It moves us to forgive those who wrong us, support those who err, and advocate for justice and equality in our communities. By living in this balance, we reflect God’s character, promoting a world that is more compassionate, just, and loving.
Incorporating both justice and mercy into our daily lives not only transforms our personal relationships but also helps create a society where fairness and compassion coexist. It is through this balance that we can truly make a difference, embodying the principles that Jesus taught, exemplified and lived.
