Date: June 8, 2010 10:51 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Love or Justice?
Love or Justice?
"Our Redeemer-the Lord Almighty is his name-is the Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 47:4).
Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 1:1-25
God doesn't forgive us because He loves us.
If God forgave us because He loves us, He would violate His own character, because the love of God cannot accept what His holiness cannot tolerate. The one, true, living God is holy, and His holiness cannot tolerate sin-no matter how small it might be or how much He loves us. His justice requires that all sin receive the penalty first declared to Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:16-17). That penalty is physical and spiritual death.
The penalty holds us fast in its grip. So God sent a Redeemer, Jesus, One who would free us from the clutches of death and purchase us back-redeem us-by taking our punishment. He is the only one able to pay the price and live.
The world wants us to believe that "all you need is love," but they're wrong.
God doesn't forgive us because He loves us. God forgives us because His justice has been satisfied by the sacrifice of His Son...and He sent His Son to be our Redeemer because He loves us.
Insight: How does focusing solely on God's love provide an incomplete view of God? Dwell not only on God's love, but also on His justice and holiness.
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