You Who Know Justice, Do You Know Mercy?

[All Scripture references in this article are taken from the New International Version]

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” (James 2:12-13)

Grace and mercy, what sweet sounding words… have we ever forgotten them?

I was blessed as a child, even before my birth! For I was raised in a house that feared the Lord. My parents taught me about God, about sin, and about my need for a savior. Through their wisdom and guidance, I grew up walking according to the law to the best of my abilities. I was quick to point out wrongdoing, and truly believed that justice served under the law was the pinnacle of atonement.

I would have made a great Pharisee.

You see, despite my wonderful upbringing, something was still missing. I understood righteousness and justice, but I forgot the most important thing of all. The problem was, I had not love. (For those of you who missed the reference, go read 1 Corinthians 13. Make time to do so.) While love is a big topic, I want to focus on an aspect of love known as mercy.

“…[love] keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5)

Mercy is the act of pardoning that which should be condemned according to the law. It is essential to life. Period! If mercy did not exist, every last one of us would stand before the throne on the day of judgment fully condemned, dead in our sins. Let’s take a quick trip through Romans 3:

“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:10-18)

We could all probably name a few people like that… But did you catch the first part of the passage? “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). Paul sort of reiterates this in verse 20: “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” (Romans 3:20)

We all know that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and all have sinned (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, etc). Under the law, where is our hope?

“But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known.” (Romans 3:21)

“[all] are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:24)

“…He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished–he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:25-26)

To us, the law means death and condemnation. Our only hope is the grace and mercy given us through Jesus Christ. It is because of God’s grace and mercy that we can have life.

So then, as followers of Christ, what place have we to judge others? It’s not the execution of justice under the law that brings life, but rather the mercy we show others that leads them to Christ.

I once had a vision in which I was standing in a full set of armor, surrounded by bright, flowing light from every direction. Directly across from me stood a woman in rags, clothed more by guilt and shame more than anything. I was furious towards her, for very justifiable reasons. I glanced below me to find a great broadsword in front of me. I picked it up and leveled it at her. She began to weep, knowing that she was fully guilty of all charges brought against her. In seeing her tears, I lowered my sword, realizing that it would do more harm than good. I then stuck out my hand, and in that instant I began to understand the power and necessity of mercy.

For by the same measure that we use to judge, we will also be judged. And who among us is capable of living under the law? Justice under the law brings only condemnation. But praise be to God that mercy triumphs over judgment! Now go and live mercifully.

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