Justice, Mercy & Grace

What does it really mean to show mercy and seek justice? I hear and use these words all the time, but often I need to stop and think—what do they really mean? As Christians, we sometimes speak in familiar terms, but if asked to define them, we might struggle to explain. I’ve heard it said that justice is giving someone what they deserve, while mercy is willingly letting go of what’s owed to you for the sake of another. If someone steals from me, they’ve committed an injustice—they’ve taken what’s rightfully mine. Mercy, on the other hand, is me choosing not to demand repayment, absorbing the loss instead.

But as I thought more about it, I realized there’s something even deeper at work: grace. Grace doesn’t just stop at mercy—it’s giving more than what’s deserved. If someone steals from me, instead of demanding my money back, grace would be offering them more than they took. That’s what God does for us—He not only forgives but blesses us with far more than we ever deserve.

So, justice gives what’s deserved (punishment or restitution). Mercy withholds what’s deserved (forgiveness instead of punishment). And grace gives what’s completely undeserved (blessing and favor).

Then I hit a snag. God calls us to be merciful, just as He is merciful (Luke 6:36). But, if I’m honest, God’s mercy seems different from the mercy He asks us to show. We’re told to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), to be willing to absorb the loss, and not seek restitution (1 Corinthians 6:7). Yet God doesn’t seem to just overlook injustice—He demands it be addressed. He never allows wrongs to go unsettled, and yet He still shows mercy.

This puzzled me until I came across Romans 3:25, which says God “passed over” sins committed beforehand but now calls all people to repentance. God didn’t ignore sin or injustice; He delayed the consequences until Christ took them on Himself. Justice was always met. It just wasn’t immediate. Jesus paid the price for every wrong. So, when I’m called to show mercy, it’s because Christ has already settled the account. I don’t need to demand justice because Jesus fulfilled it. Every offense against me has already been paid for on the cross.

But what about when I see injustice done to someone else? I can’t just turn the other cheek in that situation, can I? While I’m called to forgive personal offenses, I’m not called to stand by when others are mistreated. The Bible is clear that we are to stand for justice on behalf of others. Isaiah 1:17 tells us to "seek justice, correct oppression." We are called to defend the weak, speak up for the voiceless, and protect those who can’t protect themselves (Proverbs 31:8-9).

Jesus is the perfect example of this balance. He personally forgave those who wronged Him, even while suffering on the cross. But when He saw others being exploited, He acted. He drove the money changers out of the temple because they were taking advantage of people (Matthew 21:12-13). There’s a time to forgive and a time to take a stand. When I’m wronged, I’m called to forgive. But when others face injustice, I’m called to act.

This is where we see the difference between divine justice and earthly justice. Divine justice—the kind that deals with all sin—was fulfilled in Jesus. On the cross, He paid for every injustice. Nothing was left unresolved. But earthly justice, the kind that corrects wrongs here and now, still matters. Even though Christ’s sacrifice covers all sin, we aren’t supposed to ignore the pain and suffering in the world. We’re called to be His hands and feet, promoting justice and mercy in our daily lives.

Micah 6:8 sums it up well: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” We’re called to act justly on behalf of others, but also to show mercy in our personal lives, forgiving as we’ve been forgiven. And we do this humbly, knowing that we don’t have all the answers and will sometimes make mistakes. God’s grace covers even that.

As I think more about this, I realize how profound it is. If I truly see myself as part of Christ’s body, I don’t need to seek personal justice because Jesus already fulfilled it. Every wrong done to me has been settled at the cross. My role is to forgive and show mercy, just as Christ has done for me.

At the same time, standing for justice on behalf of others reflects God’s heart in this world. I’m not called to seek revenge or retaliation but to ensure the vulnerable are protected and the oppressed are defended. Though Christ has paid for all sin, including the injustices we see today, we are still called to promote justice and mercy.

In the end, it all points back to Jesus, our perfect example. He forgave every sin and took action to set things right. One day, He will return to make all things new, and we will praise Him for the perfect harmony of His character: justice, mercy, and grace.