How do God’s justice and mercy relate?

Numbers 35:9-11The Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, designate cities of refuge to which people can flee if they have killed someone accidentally.”

2 Samuel 24:14“I’m in a desperate situation!” David replied to Gad. “But let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great. Do not let me fall into human hands.”

Romans 6:23The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Because God is loving and just, he clearly tells us about sin and its consequences. All people are treated equally. God is merciful in that he offers a way for us to be spared the punishment we deserve for our sin. We would be much worse off if we always got the justice we deserved. Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we don’t deserve—forgiveness for our sins and friendship with God.

Matthew 5:43-44“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”

Justice punishes evil thoughts and deeds. Mercy forgives the sinner. One of the hardest things we can do is to forgive those who have wronged us. But only through forgiveness can we be free of the bitterness of injustice. Our mercy may be exactly what someone needs to understand the mercy of God.