Justice and Mercy - March 2012

I recently heard the following story (which might or might not be true!).  A woman who was called to jury duty told the presiding judge that she was not qualified to serve because she did not believe in capital punishment. The judge said, 'You don't understand, madam. This is a civil case involving a man who spent five thousand dollars of his wife's money on gambling and other women.' To which the woman replied eagerly, 'I'll be happy to serve, your honor, and I've changed my mind about capital punishment.' 

 Now surely if the shoe had been on the other foot, the woman would have been crying for mercy rather than justice!  That’s how it goes though isn’t it?  We want justice for our enemies and mercy for ourselves!  Is it possible to have both mercy and justice with the same offense?  Not only is it possible but when God is dealing with his children, we find that mercy and justice are actually inseparable – they always go together.  The rest of that story is coming on Sunday morning at Grace Community Church. 

In the meantime, remember to invest yourselves in the life of someone else – a neighbor, co-worker or client.  As God has loved us, so we get to love one another.

 Gripped by Grace,

 Harrison Spitler, Pastor