The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Grace H. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Research on "Justice" & "Mercy"*
What is justice? It is getting what you deserve. What is mercy? It is receiving blessings you don't deserve. The Lord is the only one who knows when to give mercy and justice rightly in every situation. He knows the intention of our hearts and the faithfulness of our souls (Hebrews 4:12a).
Justice is a sticky thing. If every person got what he deserved, we would all be burning in Hell. So why aren't we? God is merciful with patience beyond comprehension. Many of us get frustrated with the unpunished sin of others, while we don't see the wrath we ourselves should be facing. Matthew 7:3, 5 says, "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." This truth makes us unfit to judge. John 8:15-16. God is the only one able to discern how much a person can handle or when they need relief. He always punishes but only enough to get His point across. In fact He says, "Be sure your sin will find you out," Numbers 32:23b. God has no favorites. All are liable to judgment (Matthew 5:22a). God expects His children to follow Him in righteousness and blamelessness. Micah 6:8b says, "And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" If this is what He requires, this is what we should be striving for each day of our lives.
Throughout the whole Bible era and even now people ask why God doesn't wipe out those with evil intent. Jeremiah 12:1a says, "Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?" We see those who are "more evil" than ourselves prosper and it drives us crazy. God's delay is His mercy. He is giving us a chance to repent and change. Hebrews 12:6-7: "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives. It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" Even His discipline can be viewed as mercy, for He disciplines the ones He loves to build strength, character and tolerance. "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope," (Romans 5:3-5). We must rejoice in hard times for we know that God has a bigger plan and purpose for our suffering and because have hope like no one else. Many are brought to Him through suffering and hard situations. Philippians 1:29 says, "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake. So run from sin, but don't have anxiety over it. Remember you have a just and merciful God judging you.
*This combined report on two research assignments is permissable under Ambassador League guidelines, but is only counted as one point. Students wishing to achieve the most number of points possible must complete a full report on each research assingment.
