Mercy And Jehovah's Perfect Justice

Jehovah's justice, just like every other facet of his matchless personality, is perfect, not lacking in anything. Extoling Jehovah, Moses wrote: "The Rock, perfect is his activity, for all ways are justice. A God of faithfulness, with whom there is no injustice; righteous and upright is he." (Deuteronomy 32:3, 4) Every expression of Jehovah's justice is flawless-never too lenient, never too harsh.

There is a close connection between Jehovah's justice and his mercy. Psalm 116:5 says: "Jehovah is gracious and righteous ["just," The New American Bible];and our God is One showing mercy." Yes, Jehovah is both just and merciful. The two traits are not at odds. His exercising of mercy is not a watering down of his justice, as if his justice would otherwise be too severe. Rather, the two qualities are often expressed by him at the same time, even in the same act. Consider an example.

All humans are by inheritance sinful and thus deserving of sin's penalty-death. (Romans 5:12) But Jehovah finds no pleasure in the death of sinners. He is a "God of acts of forgiveness, gracious and merciful." (Nehemiah 9:17) Still, because he is holy, he cannot condone unrighteousness. How, then, could he show mercy to inherently sinful humans? The answer is found in one of the most precious truths of God's Word: Jehovah's provision of a ransom for mankind's salvation. In Chapter 14 we will earn more about this loving arrangement. It is at once profoundly just and supremely merciful. By means of it, Jehovah can express tender mercy toward repentant sinners while maintaining his standards of perfect justice. -Romans 3:21-26.

Next time: Jehovah's Justice Is Heartwarming

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002