Paul Metzger Page
Paul’s Thoughts Concerning Mercy and Justice
To the finite human mind, mercy and justice might seem like two irreconcilable qualities, exclusive of one another. To show mercy would seem to preclude administering the required justice. The pure application of justice leaves no room for mercy. The cross can be seen as a graphic representation of the inter-section of God’s mercy with His justice. End of transcription.
In consideration of these truths, Paul turned to a commentary of John MacArthur where we read: “The cross represents the apex of redemptive history, the ratification of the new covenant, the final atonement for sin, the epitome of divine mercy, the necessary object of saving faith, and the only hope of eternal life. It is there that the perfect justice of God met both his unmerited grace and infinite wisdom.” End of transcription, (John MacArthur is the Radio teacher on Grace to You and pastor of Grace Community Church of Panorama city, Ca).
My thoughts- On the cross, God’s mercy was enacted, and His justice was satisfied. The wages of sin after all was/is an eternal separation from God of which all persons because of sin, are sentenced. The wage of sin is both physical and spiritual death. See Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23a). God would not be a just God if He did not bring to pass His own decree. Sin must be paid for. The sentence must be carried out. But praise the Lord, this is where the mercy of God comes in. Returning to Romans 6:23 we read “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life “
God transferred man’s sin to Himself in the person of Jesus Christ and satisfied God’s sentence against our sin. For by grace we are saved (Eph. 2:8a). Thankyou Lord Jesus for doing what it was impossible for us to do.
Steve