There's a big difference.
One assumes that we are deserving NOT to fry. You are good for pulling me from the fire but BAD for not pulling out my brother.
You can not assume that man deserves anything but eternal punishment. He knew the gameplan. He broke the rules. There was a penalty.
The truth is none are deserving and only MERCY saves us. God's mercy is not like his justice in which he is obligated to dispense it. God IS Just. God is Righteous. Those are parts of His character. Mercy is a part of His will. And whom He wills to give mercy to, He does. Whom He wills to harden, He will. He is God and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
He is not fair. Doesn't have to be and you don't want him to be. He is just and He is merciful.
How you hold these both in your mind is the mystery to me.