Applying God's Justice and Mercy in Personal Relationships
Applying God's Justice and Mercy in Personal Relationships
The biblical concept of justice and mercy is foundational to understanding how Christians are called to interact with one another. In Exodus 18:16, Moses recounts that he judges between a man and his neighbor, making known God's statutes and laws [1]. Jeremiah 7:5 emphasizes the importance of executing justice between individuals [2]. This justice is not merely a human construct but is rooted in God's character.
The exercise of mercy is also a critical aspect of Christian relationships. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, mercy is "compassion for the miserable" and is exercised towards those in misery [3]. The atoning sacrifice of Christ enables the exercise of mercy towards humanity in harmony with truth and righteousness. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, love to man is a fundamental Christian principle, commanded by God and exemplified by Christ [4].
In personal relationships, Christians are called to balance justice and mercy. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on Ezekiel 36:31, the experience of God's grace and love can lead to true repentance, which is characterized by shame and loathing for past wrongs [7]. This repentance is facilitated by the recognition of God's mercy and loving-kindness, as noted by John Gill's commentary on Psalms 25:6 [5].
The practice of justice and mercy in personal relationships involves several key elements. Firstly, it requires a commitment to executing justice, as emphasized in Jeremiah 7:5 [2]. Secondly, it involves showing mercy and compassion to others, as exemplified by Christ and commanded by God [3, 4]. Thirdly, it requires a willingness to forgive others, as noted by Adam Clarke's commentary on Luke 6:37, which quotes "mercy will ever incline us not to condemn those unmercifully" [9].
The biblical teaching on justice and mercy is not limited to individual relationships but has broader implications for community life. As Matthew Henry's commentary on Romans 5:1 notes, justification by faith brings peace with God, which in turn has a profound impact on our relationships with others [6]. The practice of justice and mercy is thus an essential aspect of Christian discipleship, reflecting God's character and facilitating the growth of loving and compassionate relationships within the community of believers.
The connection between God's justice and mercy is also highlighted in the context of reconciliation. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on 2 Corinthians 5:18, reconciliation involves a change in our position "judicially considered in the eye of the law," made possible by the mediation and sacrifice of Christ [8]. This reconciliation is not limited to the individual but extends to the community, enabling the exercise of justice and mercy in personal relationships.
Sources
- Exodus “When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.” -- Exodus 18:16”
- Jeremiah “For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if you thoroughly execute justice between a man and his neighbor; -- Jeremiah 7:5”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mercy — Compassion for the miserable. Its object is misery. By the atoning sacrifice of Christ a way is open for the exercise of mercy towards the sons of men, in harmony with the demands of truth and righteousness (Gen. 19:19; Ex. 20:6; 34:6, 7; Ps. 85:10; 86:15, 16). In Christ mercy and truth meet together. Mercy is also a Christian grace (Matt. 5:7; 18:33-35).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to Man — Is of God -- 1Jo 4:7. Commanded by God -- 1Jo 4:21. Commanded by Christ -- Joh 13:34; 15:12; 1Jo 3:23. After the example of Christ -- Joh 13:34; 15:12; Eph 5:2. Taught by God -- 1Th 4:9. Faith works by -- Ga 5:6. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22; Col 1:8. Purity of heart leads to -- 1Pe 1:22. Explained -- 1Co 13:4-7. Is an active principle -- 1Th 1:3; Heb 6:10. Is an abiding principle -- 1Co 13:8,13. Is the second great commandment -- Mt 22:37-39. Is the end of the commandment -- 1Ti 1:5. Supernatural gifts are nothing without -- 1Co 13:1,2. The greates”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 25:6: Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses,.... Not the providential mercy and kindness of God, in the care of him in his mother's womb, at the time of his birth, in his nurture and education, and in the preservation of him to the present time; but the special mercy, grace, and love of God in Christ: the sense of the petition is the same with that of Psa 106:4; which are expressed in the plural number, because of the largeness and abundance of it, and because of the various acts and instances of it; the Lord is rich and plenteous in mercy, abundant”
- Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 5:1: The precious benefits and privileges which flow from justification are such as should quicken us all to give diligence to make it sure to ourselves that we are justified, and then to take the comfort it renders to us, and to do the duty it calls for from us. The fruits of this tree of life are exceedingly precious. I. We have peace with God, Rom 5:1. It is sin that breeds the quarrel between us and God, creates not only a strangeness, but an enmity; the holy righteous God cannot in honour be at peace with a sinner while he continues under the guilt of sin. Justific”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 36:31: remember your . . . evil ways--with shame and loathing. The unexpected grace and love of God, manifested in Christ to Israel, shall melt the people into true repentance, which mere legal fear could not (Eze 16:61, Eze 16:63; Psa 130:4; Zac 12:10; compare Jer 33:8-9).”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 5:18: all--Greek, "THE." things--all our privileges in this new creation (Co2 5:14-15). reconciled us--that is, restored us ("the world," Co2 5:19) to His favor by satisfying the claims of justice against us. Our position judicially considered in the eye of the law is altered, not as though the mediation of Christ had made a change in God's character, nor as if the love of God was produced by the mediation of Christ; nay, the mediation and sacrifice of Christ was the provision of God's love, not its moving cause (Rom 8:32). Christ's blood was the ”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 6:37: Judge not - See on Mat 7:1 (note). "How great is the goodness of God, in being so willing to put our judgment into our own hands as to engage himself not to enter into judgment with us, provided we do not usurp the right which belongs solely to him in reference to others!" Condemn not - "Mercy will ever incline us not to condemn those unmercifully whose faults are certain and visible; to lessen, conceal, and excuse them as much as we can without prejudice to truth and justice; and to be far from aggravating, divulging, or even desiring them to be punished." Forgive - ”