I have always considered justice and mercy commands.
As lifestyle components, I can not just pick and choose between justice and mercy at will. Both flow out of the heart on their own accord.
I have always considered justice and mercy as equally necessitated, like ends of an axis, like the Golden Mean that Aristotle’s ethics balance. At this point I have accepted, or shall I say, I am keenly aware of a shift in my pursuit of justice.
My focus is on the mercy of God. There is no law against mercy.
In the past I would not have debated the importance of mercy or judgement. I would have argued their mutual necessity, but not one over the other. I have questioned those who display primarily mercy. I have questioned in my mind, those whose focus was judgement.
At this point, I think true justice is actually judgement based on mercy and its application, especially to the sick soul.
| He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? | Micah 6:8 | |
| Zechariah 7:9-10 | “Thus has the LORD of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’ | |
| Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate! Perhaps the LORD God of hosts may be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. | Amos 5:15 | |
| Proverbs 31:9 | Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. | |
| Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. | 2 John 1:3 | |
| Matthew 5:7 | “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. | |
For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13