Justice and Mercy

 “The Lord will be recognized when making judgments. The sinner has been caught in the works of his own hands.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭9:17‬ ‭CPDV‬‬

https://www.bible.com/42/psa.9.17.cpdv

The juxtaposition of justice and mercy is revealed on the cross.  To make things right between God and man after sin’s division and fallout, sacrifice is needed for atonement.  God Himself provided the sacrifice through His son Jesus.  He was both applying justice and mercy, as paradoxical as it may seem.

Man’s idea of justice is punishment as a means of righting a wrong.  It is often attuned to legalistic terms - lawful means to satisfy a penalty.  God’s justice is divine.  He sees beyond the action and looks deep into the heart.  

Although evil reaps it’s own consequence and man justly deserves the bitter fruits he harvests from it, God’s mercy is all consuming.  He wages war against evil and provides us the means to break free from its clutches.  Through the ultimate sacrifice on the cross, Jesus paid the price for our sins.