The concept of what is "deserved" in the Bible often revolves around the themes of justice, mercy, and grace. In Scripture, the idea of deserving is frequently tied to human actions and God's righteous judgment. However, it is also contrasted with the grace and mercy that God extends to humanity, which is not based on what is deserved but on His love and compassion.

Justice and Deserving

The Bible presents God as a just judge who rewards and punishes according to what is deserved. In the Old Testament, the principle of retributive justice is evident. For example, in Deuteronomy 25:1-3, the law prescribes that judges should ensure that the guilty receive punishment in proportion to their crime: "If there is a dispute between men and they go to court, and the judges decide their case, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked, then it shall be, if the wicked man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make him lie down and be beaten in his presence with the number of stripes according to his guilt."

Similarly, Proverbs 24:12 emphasizes God's role as a just judge: "If you say, 'Behold, we did not know this,' does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? Does not He who guards your soul know it? And will He not repay a man according to his deeds?"

Mercy and Grace

While justice is a significant theme, the Bible also highlights God's mercy and grace, which transcend what is deserved. In the New Testament, the concept of grace is central to the message of the Gospel. Romans 6:23 contrasts what is deserved with what is given by grace: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Ephesians 2:8-9 further underscores that salvation is not based on human merit: "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage highlights that, although humanity deserves judgment due to sin, God offers salvation as a free gift through faith in Jesus Christ.

Human Deserving and Divine Compassion

The Bible also addresses the human tendency to judge others based on what they deserve, often calling believers to reflect God's compassion instead. In the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35), Jesus teaches about the importance of forgiving others as God has forgiven us, emphasizing that mercy should triumph over strict justice.

Moreover, Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount challenges the conventional understanding of deserving. In Matthew 5:44-45, He instructs, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." This passage illustrates that God's love and provision extend beyond what is deserved, serving as a model for believers.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on what is deserved is multifaceted, encompassing God's justice, human sinfulness, and the profound grace and mercy offered through Jesus Christ. While justice ensures that deeds are repaid, God's grace provides what is undeserved, offering redemption and eternal life to all who believe.(imp. & p. p.) of Deserve.618. apolambano -- to receive from, receive as one's due
... Spelling: (ap-ol-am-ban'-o) Short Definition: I get back, receive back Definition:
(a) I get back, receive back, (b) I get (receive) as due (deserved), (c) mid ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/618.htm - 7k1576. gemul -- a dealing, recompense, benefit
... Word Origin from gamal Definition a dealing, recompense, benefit NASB Word Usage
benefit (1), benefits (1), dealings (1), deeds (1), deserved* (1), good deed (1 ...
/hebrew/1576.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... 3), consecrate* (3), consecrated* (4), control (1), courage* (1), creditor* (1),
custody (4), debt (1), defiantly* (1), delivered (1), deserved* (1), direction ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

victor's Erroneous Opinion, that the Soul Deserved to Become ...
... A Treatise on the soul and its origin, Chapter 8 [VIII.]"Victor's Erroneous
Opinion, that the Soul Deserved to Become Sinful. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 8 viii victors erroneous opinion.htm

Victor Utterly Unable to Explain How the Sinless Soul Deserved to ...
... A Treatise on the soul and its origin, Chapter 9."Victor Utterly Unable
to Explain How the Sinless Soul Deserved to Be Made Sinful. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 9 victor utterly unable to.htm

Another Error Out of his Second Book, to the Effect, that the Soul ...
... A Treatise on the soul and its origin, Chapter 6 [VI.]"Another Error Out of His
Second Book, to the Effect, that the Soul Deserved to Be Polluted by the Body ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 6 vi another error out.htm

But Indeed, Some one Will Say, He Deserved Our Hatred Because He ...
... Book II. 2 But indeed, some one will say, He deserved our hatred because
He has driven religion? But indeed, some one will say ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/2 but indeed some one.htm

Our Lord Shows St. Teresa the Place which She had by Her Sins ...
... Chapter XXXII. Our Lord Shows St. Teresa the Place Which She Had by Her Sins Deserved
in Hell. The Torments There. How the Monastery of St. Joseph Was Founded. ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xxxii our lord shows.htm

Gods, those which were Confessedly Elevated to the Divine ...
... I will take Hercules himself for raising the gist of a reply [1042] (to the
question) whether he deserved heaven and divine honours? ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xiv gods those which were.htm

The Penitent Thief
... He was crucified; publicly executed, by the most shameful, painful, and lingering
torture; and confessed that it was no more than he deserved. ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxi the penitent thief.htm

Sermons on the Card.
... mean man, of a simple degree and birth, not born to any possession; whom the king's
grace favoureth, not because this person hath of himself deserved any such ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/sermons on the card.htm

Sermon for Ash Wednesday
... and are hanging on the cross of continual exercises and outward austerities which
they have bound themselves to practise; they have well-deserved this cross ...
/.../x sermon for ash wednesday.htm

The Justice of God
... He gives a reward, not because we have deserved it, but because he has promised
it. [2] He is just in punishing offenders. He is just. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/8 the justice of god.htm

Deserved (11 Occurrences)
...Deserved (11 Occurrences). Luke 12:48 But he who had not been told it and yet
did what deserved the scourge, will receive but few lashes. ...
/d/deserved.htm - 10k

Deserve (40 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 25:2 And it shall be if the wicked man have deserved to be beaten, that
the judge shall cause him to lie down, and be beaten before his face ...
/d/deserve.htm - 18k

Deserves (25 Occurrences)

/d/deserves.htm - 13k

Undue (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not right; not deserved or legal; improper;
as, undue attention. 2. (a.) Not due; not yet owing ...
/u/undue.htm - 7k

Jerubba'al (11 Occurrences)
... faith and honor when you made Abim'elech king, and if you have dealt well with
Jerubba'al and his house, and have done to him as his deeds deserved-- (DBY RSV). ...
/j/jerubba'al.htm - 9k

Lashes (6 Occurrences)
... lashes. (WEY NAS). Luke 12:48 But he who had not been told it and yet did
what deserved the scourge, will receive but few lashes. To ...
/l/lashes.htm - 8k

Larger (23 Occurrences)
... RSV). Luke 12:48 But he who had not been told it and yet did what deserved
the scourge, will receive but few lashes. To whomsoever ...
/l/larger.htm - 13k

Three (5005 Occurrences)
... offered by Azarias) opens with words of adoration followed by an acknowledgment
that the sufferings of the nation in Babylon were wholly deserved, and an ...
/t/three.htm - 18k

Tribute (67 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A personal contribution, as of money, praise, service, etc., made in token
of services rendered, or as that which is due or deserved; as, a tribute of ...
/t/tribute.htm - 32k

Recompense (79 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To give in return; to pay back; to pay, as something earned or deserved.
4. (vi) To give recompense; to make amends or requital. ...
/r/recompense.htm - 30k

What does it mean that Christ was wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5)? | GotQuestions.org

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Deserved: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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