10.09.2019
IBC Admin
The justice of God, like an immovable mountain, tells us that all sin and evil must be judged. If we are honest with ourselves, we understand that our thoughts, attitudes and actions condemn us and we must stand in judgment. And yet this is where the gospel is so powerful. Though we know we have fallen short and have sinned against God, God in His mercy extends to us His love and forgiveness through the cross of Jesus Christ… “for God demonstrated His love in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
When we talk about the justice of God from the Bible, we are talking about an attribute or characteristic of God by which He must bring judgment against sin and evil. When we talk about the mercy of God, we are talking about the forgiveness and love of God that is extended despite sin and evil. We really cannot get around these two truths in the Bible. We are forced to reckon with them when thinking about who God is and who we are in relationship to Him.
Justice and mercy are the two elephants in the room.
The justice of God, like an immovable mountain, tells us that all sin and evil must be judged. If we are honest with ourselves, we understand that our thoughts, attitudes and actions condemn us and we must stand in judgment. And yet this is where the gospel is so powerful. Though we know we have fallen short and have sinned against God, God in His mercy extends to us His love and forgiveness through the cross of Jesus Christ… “for God demonstrated His love in this, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
The book of Malachi bring these two truths together for us. After Israel asks, "where is the God of justice," (vs. 2:17), God responds by telling them that while His judgment is near at hand (vs. 3:5), that they could stand through the purifying work of the "Messenger of the covenant," which was for Israel the prophetic promise of Jesus (vs. 3:1-2) It is for that reason, because of the promised hope of Messiah to Israel that God assures them that as a nation they had yet to be "consumed." (3:6)
If we truly understand this, that though we should be condemned and stand in judgment before God, but now can be forgiven and receive mercy in Christ, it should fill us with a sense of wonder and joy. This is what motivated the Apostle Paul when challenging us to live differently in Romans 12:1, “In view of God’s mercy, a beg you to offer yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” So let us draw near to God and commit to live with His mercy in view, that we may worship Him and stand before Him with the knowledge of His love and mercy in Christ Jesus.