Justice, Mercy, and Grace

Justice, Mercy, and Grace

I was returning home to Fort Deposit one evening deep in thought, but I wasn't thinking about how
fast I was driving. So, I really didn't pay attention to the sign that indicated that the speed
limit changed as you entered the city limits.

Then I saw two headlights come on suddenly to my right. The thought immediately came to my mind.
"Uh-oh." I looked down at my speedometer as I passed the Fort Deposit police car. Yes, I was going
faster than the 40 mph speed limit. I immediately pulled over and, just as I expected, there were
flashing blue lights approaching me from the rear.

"52 in a 40," said the policeman as he walked up to my open window. "Yes, sir," was my sad reply.
I couldn't deny it or dispute it.

Justice is served when you get what you deserve. I broke the speed limit; I deserved to pay the
fine. Did I get what I deserved?

No, I didn't. The officer said, "How about slowing it down next time?" My relieved response was a
jubilant "Yes, sir!"

I didn't receive justice; I was shown mercy. Mercy is extended when you do not get what you
deserve. I couldn't have been more thankful.

Suppose that I did receive justice on that occasion. I would have received a speeding ticket. But
suppose after the policeman handed the ticket to me that he followed it up by pulling out his own
wallet and giving me the money to pay the fine. That would have been grace! Grace is demonstrated
when you get what you need but don't deserve.

Because of our sins - and all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23) - we deserve justice. What is the
penalty for sin? Death. "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

But because of His great love, God has extended mercy and grace to us (read Ephesians 2:1-10). He
gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). The sinless Son of God
took upon Himself our sins and paid the price for our redemption (1 Peter 2:24). "For Christ died
for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18).

In the cross of Christ, we see the justice, mercy, and grace of God. Justice was served because
Christ paid the price for sin. Yet, because of the cross of Christ, mercy and grace are offered to
sinners who will accept His offer of salvation and eternal life.

God will save from sin and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts
16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans
10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). God will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

We deserve justice. But God offers us His mercy and grace.

Why would anyone refuse that wonderful offer?

Won't YOU accept His offer on His terms?

-- David A. Sargent