There are some things God cannot do. God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18); he cannot deny himself (2 Timothy 2:13); and he cannot act unjustly (2 Chronicles 19:7). We can be sure that God will be perfectly just when he condemns the wicked, and equally sure that he will remain just when he saves his people. God cannot show us mercy by simply turning a blind eye to our sins and pretending they never happened. In showing kindness to us, he cannot cease to be just.
Picture this scene in a courtroom. A man stands accused of several crimes. The judge listens to the witnesses and examines the evidence. There is no doubt that the accused is guilty. But then the judge says, “You’re guilty. You deserve to be punished. But I want to show you kindness. I don’t care what the law requires — I’m letting you go. You’re free to leave.”
What would we think of such a judge? Probably that he was incompetent, corrupt, or unjust. One thing is certain: we would never call him a good judge. He would have failed in his duty to uphold justice.
Now imagine that the same judge finds the man guilty and orders him to pay a heavy fine, as the law requires. But the man replies that he cannot possibly afford to pay it. The judge then says, “Justice must be served. The penalty must be paid. But I also want to show you mercy. I have spoken with my son, and he has agreed to pay the full amount on your behalf. So you may go. You are free.”
In this case, the judge has shown himself to be both just and merciful.
- This is a picture of what God has done for us. God justifies sinners freely, not because we deserve it, but out of his kindness. He sets us free on the basis of the redemption accomplished by his Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24). Christ paid the price with his own blood, taking upon himself the punishment we deserved.
- This is why Scripture joyfully declares that God is both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26). God justifies — that is, he sets guilty sinners free from condemnation and the punishment of hell — but only those who believe in his Son. And in showing such mercy, God remains perfectly just, because his Son fulfilled all that the law required on their behalf.
There are some things we cannot do either. We cannot escape the justice of God. The penalty for our sins must be paid — either by us in hell, or by Christ on the cross.
But there is one thing we can do. With God’s help, we can admit our guilt and appeal to his mercy and justice in Christ. We can look to the cross — the ultimate display of both God’s love and God’s justice — and entrust ourselves to Jesus.