𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐍𝐨 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

We live in a world where mistakes, especially those made by the young, are judged swiftly and harshly in the court of public opinion. One recent situation in my community reminded me of this truth: that it is not possible to have true justice without compassion. When someone stumbles—especially a youth—we are quick to demand justice, but too often slow to offer understanding. We cry out for accountability, but are silent about grace.

Online bullying, vilification, and condemnation have become the norm. People don’t wait for due process. They don’t ask what led up to the moment. They don’t consider the internal battles someone might be fighting. One young person recently found themselves at the center of such scrutiny. Social media erupted with hate. No trial had yet begun, but the sentence was already being served—public shame and destruction of character.

And yet, Scripture calls us to something higher.

Jesus performed many miracles; but almost every time, Scripture notes He was moved with compassion first. Miracles did not begin with condemnation. They began with compassion. Ref – Matthew 14:14, Mark 1:41. Healing, restoration, and true transformation, must begin with empathy. We must see people not just for what they did in a moment, but who they are in totality: people made in the image of God, sometimes broken, sometimes hurting, sometimes lost, but always redeemable.

Justice is necessary. We do not deny the importance of laws, boundaries, and accountability. But justice without compassion, can become cold, rigid, punishing even cruel. It might follow the letter of the law but miss the heart of it. Compassion brings humanity into justice; it reminds us that people are more than their worst actions or hardest moments. True justice considers context, healing, and the potential for growth, not just punishment.

• Zechariah 7:9 – “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.”
• Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
• James 2:13 – “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Justice that lacks mercy breeds bitterness, not healing. Judges are meant to discern right from wrong, but also to consider circumstance, intention, provocation, and possibility for reform. Without this, we reduce human beings to their worst moments and fail to believe in the potential for growth.

Compassion Changes Everything – Proverbs 31:8-9  says : “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Compassion calls us to speak differently. To act differently. When someone is drowning in public shame, we are called not to throw stones, but to throw lifelines. When one is crushed beneath the weight of judgment, let our voices be ones that offer hope.

Let us be a people who do not rush to label someone “bad” or “beyond redemption” after a single act. Let us remember that behind every headline is a story. Behind every accusation is a soul. Let us call for justice, yes, but let it be justice with compassion. Let it be justice that sees the full picture. Let it be justice that reflects the heart of God.

Because without compassion, there is no justice