One of the first things that
young children become concerned about, especially if they have
brothers and sisters, is the concept of fairness or equity. They are seldom concerned that
this same fairness be demonstrated to their siblings, but are adamant
that it be administered to them when it is to their own advantage.
Adults, unfortunately, are not much different even though experience
teaches them that the affairs of this world seem seldom fair
in the human perception. Because man has the law written
in his heart, As we read in Romans 2.15, he can readily see what
he believes to be inequity when it concerns himself, but he cannot
embrace true justice. He can easily overlook his own
unfairness towards others as long as he feels that he is being
treated fairly himself, which in his own mind means that he
gains an advantage. God's justice derives solely
from his own character and sovereign will. God is just in all that
he does simply because he is God. Justice is defined by what
he does, and he answers to no tribunal but his own purpose
and will. His justice most certainly cannot
be weighed by men. It is pure folly and wickedness
that would ever cause a man to consider a scenario, either real
or hypothetical, which would result in him labeling God as
unjust. Whatever action the Lord is pleased
to take will most certainly be just and right. His justice does
not hinge upon what we perceive to be just. When His holy character
is revealed unto a man, then he is also given the understanding
that whatever God undertakes to do, whether it be unto our
benefit or unto our destruction, is surely just. Job understood
this concept when he said, Though he slay me, yet will I trust
him. We most often hear the questioning
of God's justice brought forth when the doctrine of unconditional
election and its companion doctrine, particular redemption, are discussed
by those who are ignorant of God's purpose in the earth or
either in rebellion against His sovereign prerogative to do with
His own as He sees fit. Those who worship at the shrine
of free will usually have no qualms at all seeking to sit
in judgment of God's justice. They come up with all sorts of
scenarios to explain the entrance of sin into the world and usually
conclude by saying that unless it is strictly a matter of man's
free will, then God would be unjust to destroy him for it.
Away with such nonsense! All things are ordered by the
Lord to occur exactly according to His eternal purpose. None
can stay His hand, no question His doing. God is just and will
do all things according to His justice. When a man is brought
into a court of law, he can forget about mercy, for there is no
such thing as mercy when the decision of that court is to
be based upon the law. If this is true in the courts
of this world where men preside, it is doubly true when they are
brought before the solemn tribunal of a thrice holy God. He may
show mercy, but he will be just. There is one who has stood in
the judgment hall of God awaiting the just sentence of the judge.
He does not plead there for mercy for his elect bride, even though
she surely stands in need of it. Rather, he demands justice
for all of those for whom he has shed his blood and presently
stands as an advocate and substitute. He imputes his righteousness
to those which he came and manifests his own righteousness before
the judgment bar of God in their behalf, declaring his own perfections
to be theirs. The justice of God demands that
those who are perfect and without the least taint of sin be found
accepted according to the law under which they are subjected,
and thus he demands their justification. The same law that demands payment
for sin demands freedom for those who are not guilty. Christ is
our law keeper. Justice and mercy are met together
in Jesus Christ. If he has paid our debt, we must
go free. We declare, I say at this time,
his righteousness, that he might be just and the justifier of
him which believeth in Jesus. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, Email us at 414 at winstream.net.