Love and Justice
by Lani W. Finley

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Rom 5:12). Yes, we all find ourselves plagued with this same fatal disease. The wages of sin is death (Rom 6: 23) and sin is the transgression of God's laws (1 Jn 3: 4). The scriptures tell us that, "...all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23). Therefore, every human being owes a debt of sin that they are unable to pay.

Why can't God just forgive us, excuse our transgressions and overlook them? After all, doesn't God understand that we have to fight against invisible wicked spirits that have great power? "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph 6:12). In addition, doesn't God understand that we possess a natural tendency to desire things that are forbidden? "Because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able {to do so} (Rom 8:7-8 NAS). So, why can't God just give us forgive us, and give let us have a break?

The answer to this question lies in the essence of God's character. He is a God of love, but He is also a God of uncompromising justice. His word cannot be broken! The scriptures tell us that the "wages of sin is death." Therefore, the sins of man created a dilemma for God. How could He be known as a God of love, but still enforce the death penalty of sin?

God's ultimate love and wisdom prevailed, the solution was found in the cross. The apostle John reminds us that the cross is the sign of God's love for mankind.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
The apostle Paul explains how the cross is also God's remedy for maintaining His honor and promise of justice.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- 26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus (Rom 3:23-26 NIV).
 
It was by the punishment of Jesus Christ that God was able to demonstrate His absolute love without compromising His justice. Jesus received the full punishment for our sins, in order to satisfy the demands of the law. He was the innocent Lamb of God, who paid a sin-debt He did not owe, because we owed a sin-debt we could not pay. Jesus paid our debt, and for that reason, the justice that God's Word demanded was never compromised.

We should be extremely grateful for God's justice, because it shows us His trustworthiness. If we cannot have trust in His promise of justice, how can we have trust in His promises of mercy and grace?

It is important to understand, that my reference to the word cross is not speaking directly to the apparatus upon which Jesus was crucified. The device used to bring death to our Savior is not the important issue. It is the act of Christ's crucifixion, upon the cross, that should be the center of our attention. We should be careful never to worship the instrument of His death. In reality, the cross was an instrument of torture, devised by pagan societies and used by the Roman government to punish criminals. Our worship should be focused upon our Savior, who was fastened to the wooden members and suffered the painful consequences of our transgressions. It is the act of the crucifixion that gives life to the unsaved and makes payment for our debt of sin. Our salvation rests in Jesus alone, not in the tool that was used to slay Him. Back to beginning of booklet