The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Justice and Mercy"
Just before sentencing, the gangster's lawyer assured his client, "I will plead to the judge for justice." The gangster recoiled in horror. "Oh, don't do that!" he cried. "Please, please beg for mercy!"
Certainly "justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy throne" (Psalm 89:14). Apart from mercy, however, we could never approach God's seat of authority. Instead, we would only hear, "Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:23). Indeed, one of the greatest descriptions in Scripture involves the writer of Hebrew's reference to God's "throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16). Moreover, believers can "come boldly" to this throne, based solely on the Person, merits, and work of the Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf. "We have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him" (Ephesians 3:12). Apart from Christ, Divine justice would bar all access. Upon Christ, however, justice was served - "Christ bore our sins" - in order that grace and mercy might be lavishly bestowed on all who believe (I Peter 2:21; 24).
We should praise our God for His character and way of perfect justice. We could not trust Him if even the smallest trace of inequity existed in Him. However, we surely praise Him also that "He delighteth in mercy" (Micah 7:18). Moreover, our Heavenly Father made a way to fulfill justice and bestow mercy as the wondrous expression of who He is. Christ is that way, our blessed Savior "made to be sin for us" in order that God might be both "just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" (II Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:26). Thus, we can "plead for justice" and "beg for mercy" in confidence that both will be served to our eternal well being.
"But as for me, I will come into Thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in Thy fear will I worship toward Thy holy temple."
(Romans 3:26)
Weekly Memory Verse
Thou hast sent Me and hast loved them as Thou hast loved Me.
(John 17:23)
5996
No comments:
Post a Comment