Justice, mercy and grace

 by David Long

Justice is getting what you deserve. The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). That's what we deserve.

Mercy is not getting what you deserve. Because we sin we deserve death but because of God's mercy we can be saved from death (Titus 3:3-7).

Grace is getting what you don't deserve. We don't deserve heaven but because of God's grace we can have eternal life in heaven.

God extends His mercy and saves us by His grace when, in faith, we obey the conditions of acceptance. That involves obeying Jesus (Heb. 5:8-9). Believing in Him (John 8:24). Repenting of our sins (Acts 17:30). Confessing our faith in Him (Acts 8:37). Being immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16) and living faithfully the Christian life (Rom. 6:3-4; Rev. 2:10).