When walking through life’s journey as a Christian, we find it hard to balance between resting in God’s Unconditional love and reverently fearing our own failures to do His will. Throughout the letters of scripture, we recognize that our salvation cannot be obtained by the works of our own hands. Therefore, we can only stand before God’s throne; because of Grace, clothed in the righteousness of Christ alone. Yet, our salvation can never be a license to sin; it must be, at the same time a call to reverence and obedience before a perfectly righteous, holy God who hates sin and its evil effects. Proclaiming God’s love and grace; without fully understanding His Wrath against sin only denies a part of His True Glory. I, daresay; when we forget His Righteous and Just nature, we ourselves risk becoming complacent to the sin in our own lives.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life. Philippians 2:12-16
BALANCE BETWEEN RESTING IN GRACE AND FEARING GOD’S JUSTICE
For me, balancing God’s Grace and His Justice proved hard to understand. When I tried with all my might to please God, I failed. My own failures and sin, therefore, lead me to despair. I knew that God had saved my soul by grace; yet, I feared I would one day stand before the judgement seat of Christ with only wood, hay and stubble; all of which would burn up, leaving me with nothing to present to Christ. So, I worked very hard; trying again with all my might to not sin; yet, found myself falling every time into the same pit. In that pit, I even doubted God could love a floundering child such as I.
There were moments of great success followed by pride and then falling again. I feared God’s punishment; yet, did I truly and fully understand the magnitude of His wrath against sin? Most likely, I did not. For if I did; then, I would have been able to see the full depravity of my own heart with clarity. For you see, as long as I rode this rollercoaster style of the Christian Walk; I could not really gain victory over sin. God hates sin with a vengeance; because, He knows that sin stands between me and He. Sin, both by its presence and my failure to see its evil effects; prevent me from experiencing the fullness of joy that can be found in God’s presence-bathing in His Glorious Righteousness, filled with His fountains of love,
Furthermore, although I must fear and hate sin with a vehement hatred; I must also realize, I cannot win against sin in my own power. “For it is God which worketh in (me) both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
SO, WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO BALANCE GRACE AND JUSTICE IN MY LIFE
- Never forget God’s Perfect and Just WRATH against sin; because, He loves. Sin separates men and women from His presence. Therefore, because He knows the only true joy and happiness that we the created can find is in the presence of our Creator; He must hate sin and its effects on each of us; because He loves us and wants us to have His best.
- Only by understanding the horrid effects of sin, can I then truly KNOW the depth of His love, grace and mercy toward me. That knowledge draws me closer to Him–to desire His presence, to prayer, and to reading His letters of love (The Bible).
- My only hope of victory in this life rests in God’s abiding in me and my abiding in Jesus Christ’s atoning, sacrificial loving heart. In Christ Jesus, I have the power within me to rise and defeat the sin in my life. His power, not mine.
- Always remain alert; putting on the whole armor of God with a healthy fear toward sin; so that I might be a light to shine forth God’s truth to a crooked and perverse nation and world.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
Only when I understand how to balance between Grace and Justice in my own life, can I know how to balance between Grace and Justice toward others. To love others with an unconditional love, does not mean that I embrace their sin. If I truly love them, like Jesus; I must speak truth to them as well. However, I must do so with a heart of love wanting to draw them toward Jesus; rather, than a heart desiring their demise. Only God can teach us the balance.
I wrote and published A Broken and Contrite Heart as an in depth look at this balance and what to do when you find yourself broken by your own failures before God. I would encourage you to get a copy of it or one of my other books. You can find a link at: Book Resources.
If you don’t know how to accept Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link, email me by clicking here or comment here
CONCLUDING TWEETS
[tweetthis]If I truly love others, like Jesus; I must speak truth to them as well.[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”I cannot rightly balance Grace and Justice toward others, unless I can within myself” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”When I forget God’s Wrath toward sin, I risk becoming complacent with my own sin” username=”effiedarlene”]
featured photograph at beginning of post by permission of Ryan Tauss on Unsplash
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.