Divine justice

Sunday 25 April 2021

Divine justice

My mouth will proclaim your righteousness, your salvation, every day, for I do not know what the limits are. Psalm 71.15

The Bible affirms that God is a just judge because he does not judge on appearances. Knowing the thoughts, the heart of man, nothing is hidden from him. The justice of God is much greater and more just than that of men. We can rightly fear it, since we are all sinners, and every sin leads to a just sentence. So is there still hope ? How can we be saved ?

If all transgression and disobedience has received just retribution, how will we escape... ? (Hebrews 2.2)

But the psalmist says he ignores the limits of salvation and divine righteousness. It unites the grace which saves and the divine justice which would however want that any sinner is condemned. How can God be righteous in forgiving if all sin deserves punishment ? This can only take place if the sentence has already been pronounced and carried out.

Salvation comes from Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, he gave his life for the forgiveness of our sins. It was on him that the condemnation that was to reach us fell, he suffered it when he died, out of love for us.

At the cross, God unites respect for his justice and for his love which impels him to save. His grace changes everything : for those who accept Jesus Christ, the righteousness of God becomes the source of their happiness.

Francis Rivere

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Proposed reading : Letter to the Romans, chapter 3, verses 21 to 26.

Source (Live Today)