A God of Love and Justice (October 10, 2023)

The Bible teaches that Almighty God is both loving and just. We cannot begin to understand the extent of our LORD’s deep, abiding love for each of us. It is boundless and unconditional! In fact, Scripture reveals that God is love! This sovereign God of the universe, however, is also holy and righteous and can neither tolerate nor be in the presence of sin that, through disobedience, became our human nature as descendants of Adam and Eve. God’s Word also makes clear that sin demands ultimate judgment and that a penalty be paid. Death is the consequence of sin, said the apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Because He is righteous, God cannot allow sin to go unpunished. So He has provided for our redemption through His Son Jesus Christ. Reconciling the fact that He is a God of both love and justice, the heavenly Father mercifully sent the incarnate Christ into the world to suffer on the cross for our sakes in the greatest act of love-inspired service in human history. Jesus willingly assumed the weight of our sins and accepted the divine wrath so God could graciously forgive us without violating His righteousness. “He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” (1 Peter 23-24)

Amazingly, our Creator loved us so deeply that He was willing to enter humanity and die for His creations, unworthy though we are. Far exceeding human comprehension, this sacrificial love is the very nature of our risen LORD and Savior Jesus Christ! Every day believers should thank God that by faith in Christ, as repentant sinners, we will not have to experience God’s wrathful anger and eternal punishment in hell. This great debt that we owed was paid in full at Calvary. We’ve been liberated from sin’s bondage, and given an undeserved gift, everlasting life in heaven in the presence of this awesome God of love and justice. Regarding this triumph over sin and death, Paul wrote: “…we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)