God is a Just Judge

Proverbs 17:15 - He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

Listening to a sermon on justification I was presented with this verse and asked the question: How can God be just and at the same time justify the wicked? Scripture says explicitly that a person that simply forgives a guilty person is an abomination. This is quite a heavy thought that is misunderstood by most of the world, and sadly by many who call themselves Christian.

When sharing the gospel with people I often am able to get them to admit that they have broken God’s laws. They have no problem saying that they would be guilty just like everyone else; after all, nobody’s perfect. But an interesting thing occurs when I ask how they believe they will make it into heaven. They say, “Because God is forgiving.” While this is a true statement, if this is what they are putting their hope in they will hear those frightening words from Christ, “Depart from me. I never knew you.”

Think about it this way: you broken many laws, are arrested and brought to court. A large fine (more money than you can imagine) or jail time is your punishment and you say to the judge, “I know you are a good man and very forgiving, so I feel you will let me go.” If the judge were to let the guilty lawbreaker go, he would be a corrupt judge, not a good man. Similarly, God is not corrupt and must punish sin wherever it is found.

Take a look into the mirror of God’s law. How will you answer to God for your lies, for the things you have taken that didn’t belong to you, for the hateful and lustful thoughts that He sees as murder and adultery? How will you respond to God when He asks you why you didn’t thank Him for every gift in your life, when you didn’t honor His name above all things? Will you say, “God, I know you are forgiving and you will let me go.”? That won’t satisfy justice. Neither will he be bribed by your supposed good works. God doesn’t simply forgive us, He does something even more remarkable.

God became a man (Jesus Christ), lived a perfect life, and was killed on the cross taking the punishment for our sins. This is how we have been set free; an innocent person paid the fine for our sins. This however made me wonder about the second phrase in the Proverb; he who condemns the righteous is also an abomination. This is getting confusing now! But that is why the term imputed is so important. It simply means that all of our sins were laid on Christ and all of His righteousness was given to us. Not that we are righteous, but that at the judgment, God sees us as righteous. Not that Christ is sinful, but paying for our sins, God saw Him as sinful.

We are allowed to enter heaven because God sees Christ’s perfect righteousness and not a drop of our wickedness. All that is required is that we recognize how filthy we are, call upon God for mercy to change us, and trust in Christ for righteousness. What an amazing gift! We deserve eternal punishment in Hell apart from the Holiness of God, but he takes the punishment for us, gives us His righteousness, transforms our hearts to follow Him, and welcomes us into His kingdom forever.

Consider what all other religions offer. Perhaps if you pray enough times in one day, or keep the Sabbath day and other ordinances, obey certain rules, meditate, or “be a good person” you will be able to bribe God into letting you into heaven. On the other hand, only true Christianity answers the question of how God can be just while justifying the wicked. The gods of all other religions are corrupt if they let lawbreakers go free without penalty. Thank God for His goodness, mercy, and His justice.

Acts 17:30,31 says that God is being patient, giving us all time to repent and trust Him, because He has set aside a day of judgment to judge in righteousness. Hebrews 9:27 says we are all appointed a day of judgment upon our death. How will you do on that day? How will you respond when God asks you about your sins? Christ has offered His righteousness. Have you trusted Him?