Continuing from a previous post, . . . Stephen E. Robinson’s writings regarding Justice and Mercy:
“. . . On the other hand the atonement of Christ offers a way to receive mercy instead of justice and to avoid a just punishment in hell. Nevertheless, if we reject the mercy offered by Christ, then suffering for our sins is right and just and fair. Justice could never intervene to save us from a just punishment—only mercy can do that. “While his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of day, harden not your hearts. . . .[Otherwise,] according to the power of justice, for justice cannot be denied, ye must go away into that lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable , and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever, which lake of fire and brimstone is endless torment.” (Jacob 6:5,10)
In this life there are only two lords and two sides. We must choose to belong to the One or the other. If we do not choose the One we will receive the other by default. There is no middle ground, no third alternative. Life, like a computer, has no default settings, conditions that will automatically apply unless we take positive action to avoid them. Thus, if we refuse to make Christ our Lord by taking positive steps to enter into his covenant, then Satan becomes our lord by default. Christ by choice or Satan by default—there are no other options.
Christ “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 onto repentance. And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety.” (Alma 34:15-16) The choice before us is mercy or justice. Either choice can be accommodated, and either choice is compatible with the nature and justice of God, but, as in the choice between the Lord and Satan, there are no third alternatives. Again, life has default settings, and they are set for justice. We can choose the mercy that is offered through the gospel covenant, but if we refuse that mercy, we will receive justice.
Now there is an odd thing about the nature of mercy: by definition, mercy can only be mercy if we don’t deserve it. For if we deserve something, then it becomes a matter of justice that we receive it. So it ceases to be a matter of mercy. Thus, in this last sense at least, to give or to receive mercy is always somewhat unfair. But one of the great beauties of the gospel, some of the best news of all, is that Jesus Christ does not mind this unfairness. He is willing to suffer unfairly and compensate justice out of his own person in order to extend mercy to weaker beings like us. The willingness on his part to pay more than his fair share and to carry more than his load in order to grant mercy to others constitutes the grace of Christ.~Stephen E. Robinson, Believing Christ (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1992). 107-109 (pocket book edition)
Brother Robinson’s writings on grace to come. . .
