Justice, Mercy, and Grace

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

We live in a universe of consequence

Impacting behavior both good and bad

Rewards that justice and mercy dispense

And which determine if we’re happy or sad

Our verse begins with the eternal truth that, “We live in a universe of consequence.”  While we are generally free to do what we want, we are not free of the consequences of our actions.  Such are the dynamics of justice and mercy.  They are forever in a ballet of balance.   Notwithstanding, when caught in wrongdoing or error, we sometimes try to resist the consequences, or pretend that they will not catch up to us.  The Apostle Paul teaches us otherwise, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

Bruce R. McConkie, a modern-day Apostle taught: "As justice is the child of the fall (of Adam), so mercy is the offspring of the atonement." Elder Tad Callister of the Council of the Seventy appended, “We might further add that grace is the offspring of mercy.”

We have set to verse these divine principles in our weekly meditation.  Herein we testify of God’s justice, mercy, and grace.

The sanctuary of Christ’s atoning embrace

Is available and offered to all God’s children

Who enter the gates of justice, mercy and grace

And find their salvation and redemption within

Justice, Mercy, and Grace

And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.  And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.

Book of Mormon    Alma 34:15-16

We live in a universe of consequence

Impacting behavior both good and bad

Rewards that justice and mercy dispense

And which determine if we’re happy or sad

Such are the dynamics of mercy and justice

Forever weighed in an economy of balance

With justice making insistent requests

That its demands be met without hesitance

But justice can be overpowered by mercy

According to Father’s compassionate plan

For Christ’s atonement bought amnesty

For every penitent woman and man

Mercy encircles us in arms safe and secure

When we humble ourselves and truly repent

 But, the demands of justice we will endure

If to Atonement’s mercy we give dissent

The sanctuary of Christ’s atoning embrace

Is available and offered to all God’s children

Who enter the gates of justice, mercy and grace

And find their salvation and redemption within

Larry Doyle Crenshaw