The world is crying out for Justice these days - everywhere we see ample
evidence of injustice and we seem to think that justice
is the cure. But, if you were asked to define "Justice", how would you do that?
As I was thinking about this topic today, it occurred to me that our idea of "Justice" is closely equated with "Equality".
Justice means that no one is treated differently than anyone else - equal rewards, equal punishments. Thus the concept of Justice goes hand in hand with "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." (Don't get Mercy or Forgiveness mixed in here just yet - we're talking strictly about Justice).
If I were to come to your home in the middle of the night and take your car and destroy it - wouldn't the minimum requirements of Justice be that I restore what I took? Would not true Justice require that I restore to you a car at least in the same condition and the same value as the one you had? And, perhaps even
a little more as compensation for your grief and as added punishment to deter me from stealing again.
If I were to take your life - the concept of Justice would mean that I would have to give up my life in repayment. Eye for Eye, Tooth for Tooth, Life for Life.
Now if we can accept the notion that Justice is closely related with Equality, think along with me as we consider an affront against God - (that is, Sin). If a sin against me, a finite being, required equal, finite compensation -
what would a sin against an Infinite Being require?
Would not Infinite compensation be required for our concept of Justice and Equality to hold?
Since, mathematically and logically, even a small fraction of Infinity is still equal to Infinity, then even the tiniest transgression against an Infinite Being would require Infinite Payment - agree?
How then, can man - the finite, ever hope to repay transgressions against
God - the Infinite?
I can only think of two ways that a finite can ever add up to Infinity:
[A] The finite can pay over and over and over and over and over again - for an Infinite amount of Time - that is:
1 + 1 +1 +1 + 1 ... going on Forever is equal to Infinity
- OR -[B] The Infinite can pay One Time for the one who has only himself or herself to offer - that is:
1 (that's me) + Infinity (that's God) is equal to Infinity.
[Note: Adding 1 to Infinity does not affect Infinity in any way - it is Still Infinity...but, adding Infinity to 1 makes all the difference in the world to 1!]
Either way - A or B, Justice is satisfied.
What does this have to do with us, you might ask? Well, I'd say Everything.
The Bible teaches the following basic principles - in fact, it is the entire Theme of the Bible:
Man, in his natural state, is sinful and has transgressed against a Holy God - a God Who is Infinitely Just.
Jesus Christ paid the penalty for Man's transgressions by paying the Ultimate Price on the Cross.
Jesus Christ IS God - therefore His Payment was Infinite:
One Death by an Infinite Being = Infinite Payment.God has offered Every Man and Woman access to the Infinite Payment made by Jesus - simply by turning around from wherever we were heading, turning to Christ, and accepting Forgiveness from His Hand. (This is method [B], above)
Hell - and the Eternal Lake of Fire - is reserved for Every Man and Woman who decide to Ignore the offer of Jesus and decide to pay for their transgressions against God by their own "good" works. This is the place where the finite can pay over and over and over and over again - forever! (This is method [A], above)
Either way (4 or 5), Justice is satisfied. God doesn't make mistakes; His Math always balances.
If you have NOT made the decision to let Jesus Christ be your Only payment for your transgressions against God, today would be a good day to make that decision! None of us know what tomorrow might bring.
If you wish to have Jesus's payment for your sins, recognize these Facts, and confess them to Him, through prayer:
"Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned against You. I do not want to continue in this way any longer. I believe that You died for my sins, that You arose from the dead, and that You are Infinite God. Forgive me of all my sins, past, present, and future. Come into my life Lord and cleanse me - change me from within. I receive Your Holy Spirit, by Faith - right now, and forevermore. Thank you Lord. Amen."
If you decided to pray that prayer for the first time,
I would like to hear from you - I have some
suggestions that will be helpful and fruitful for you in your new life as a born again Child of God.
For those of you who have already made this commitment and who have already experienced the indescribable Gift of new life in the Holy Spirit, please feel free to
refer others to this site.
One last thought before I close -
Why would an Infinite God willingly choose to pay the Ultimate Price for OUR sins?
No man can redeem the life of another or give to God
a ransom for him--
the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough-- Psalms
49:7-8
But God will redeem my life from the grave; He will surely take me to Himself. Psalms 49:15
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished (paid)." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30
"For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16