When it comes to being merciful, this is our Lord’s command: ‘Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful’ (Luke 6:36). In the Greek language this is the opposite of wrath or justice. Being merciful is not giving justice, but the opposite. One difference between grace and mercy is that grace is getting what we don’t deserve (favour) and mercy is not getting what we do deserve (justice). So when we show mercy we are withholding justice from those who have injured us. That is godliness.
