And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.(1 John 4:14 – ESV)
One of the truths of the gospel is that God saved us in a way that upheld His justice. Justice was neither compromised nor set aside; it was completely satisfied. One of the great mysteries not revealed in the Old Testament but fully revealed in the gospel is how forgiveness is possible without compromising the justice of God. The bloody mercy seat showed the truth that sins must be paid for because of the holiness of God. His love requires justice to be done, but animal blood cannot pay for human sin, and human blood alone cannot pay for offense against God.
Only Jesus was worthy enough to pay. Christ offered a full atonement that included payment in full for all the sins of every sinner who would ever believe (2 Corinthians 5:21 / Romans 3:25 / 1 John 2:2). Our salvation is therefore grounded in the justice of God as well as His mercy, which is in perfect proportion because of His holiness. In other words, the gospel is not only a message about the love of God. It is that; but it is more. The true gospel magnifies His justice as much as it magnifies His love, because in doing that it magnifies His holiness.
Why do we need to understand this, why do we need to discover and develop our thinking this way? In order to become better grounded in Christ (Colossians 2:7 / Ephesians 3:16-19); this is greater than simple understanding but not simply a feeling. Rooted and grounded in love, which we see more clearly as we have been discovering in 1 John 4:7-10 and Romans 3:25-26, etc. The breadth and length and height and depth, in other words, the encompassing nature of His love, which is most clearly understood through His holiness.
You want a faith that is getting richer, deeper, and stronger, and we find this in the Bible, it is not merely an intellectual pursuit, as this passage says, it is a knowledge but it goes beyond knowledge, it is sight beyond sight (Ephesians 1:16-20). We cannot naturally envision holiness, but when we endeavor to rightly understand God, He grants us the power to do just that. This is why you can receive a word, and want it for your life and love it, but if you don’t dig deep enough, there is no root and it will wither away. The seed gets planted but you must be working on your soil. What I am trying to do is to get you to understand the love of Christ more fully.
Convince yourself and deepen your faith, Coach others and develop their faith, Contend for and defend the faith. 2 Peter 12:1-2, 3:18 – This is what knowing and understanding Jesus is, becoming more and more familiar with just how righteous He is and beautiful and holy and that is worship and looking at Him and that is how we are changed (2 Corinthians 3:18).
When it says God is love that includes all aspects of His love including justice. Love without justice isn’t love it is favoritism. Simple pardon is simply preference. God’s love is much deeper than that, His love satisfies justice and upholds His character. His own holy being demands that payment be made, or justice would not be served, and He would not be a holy God. He is a holy God, and He Himself makes the payment to satisfy justice. He doesn’t just find a way to get you out of it; He makes a way that can never be taken back (Romans 8:33).
“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©
9 comments:
The New Testament story of God's love is seen so much clearer when viewed through the perspective of the Old Testament.
In fact, I would say to the one who avoids reading the Old Testament, that they do not understand the New Testament, even the concept of God's love, as well as they could, until they begin to wrap their minds around the rest (O.T.) of the story.
The proper effect of the Law is to lead us out of our tents and tabernacles, that is to say, from the quietness and security wherein we dwell, and from trusting in ourselves, and to bring us before the presence of God, to reveal His wrath to us and to set us before our sins.----Martin Luther
No man knows the brightness of the gospel 'till he understands the blackness of those clouds which surround the Law of the Lord.--Charles Spurgeon
Good stuff...
Today's "God is love" mentality is "out of order"! :) Ya have to start with knowing what you're being saved "from".
It makes the love more lovely indeed...
I'm currently listening to Sproul's "The Holiness of God" for the second time, and I so appreciate how strongly he states the very thing you wrote of in this post.
This is a doctrine (His holiness) that I'm seeking to gain a greater grasp and understanding of....thanks for writing on it!
You are quite welcome...be sure to check out tomorrow's post, "Love and Holiness"...
I so appreciate the Word and those who labor in it. Pastor you are worthy of double honor. Thank you for consistently posting the Good News.
"Only Jesus was worthy enough to pay. Christ offered a full atonement that included payment in full for all the sins of every sinner who would ever believe"
Amen.
The more we hear the Gospel, the better off we are, if we take it to heart, and always give thanks.
The Gospel of grace is God's power to save a heart, and to keep delivering that same heart.
How sweet the sound.
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