Whenever we attempt to compartmentalize God’s Glory by placing one aspect higher than another; we risk losing the truth of God. All too often, when viewing the diverse excellencies of God’s justice in contrast with His mercy; Christians see this as a hard to rationalize dichotomy. Particularly, in our modern society and church; there is a social drive toward only speaking of God’s love and never His wrath against sin. The dichotomy between God’s Mercy and Justice is not itself a false theology; because, God’s Glory shines radiantly from His just and righteous nature, as much as from His merciful grace toward sinful man. However, a false theology develops when either His Mercy or His Justice is espoused as denying the other.
Yet, here in modern Western culture, we see too many churches falling head first into the theological trap of presenting God’s Love and mercy to the exclusion of His justice. It is as if His justice is something to be left unspoken of for fear that people will not come. Many Christians speak of God’s mercy and love; while ignoring His righteousness, justice and hatred toward sin. When the church focuses only on God’s loving mercy to the exclusion of His justice; it risks falling headlong into a counterfeit theology, where the true God becomes unrecognizable. Balancing and viewing God’s justice and mercy as equally beautiful aspects of His Glory, is paramount to living a life reflecting His Glory and is key to the Church presenting the gospel of Christ to a world in need of a Savior.
UNDERSTANDING GRACE THROUGH THE EYES OF JUSTICE
How can anyone truly know or feel the depth of God’s Grace and Mercy toward them, if they do not know of His wrath against sin? If only His Mercy is presented; how, can anyone realize their need of a Savior? God knows that ultimate delight in Him can never be complete until one can see His Glory fully displayed in both His Justice and His Grace toward them: (sinners incapable of even fulfilling the first commandment, to love God with all their heart, their soul and to put no other God before Him). (Exodus 20:3, Deuteronomy 6:4-6)
When we forget or diminish His Justice, while focusing on only His love and mercy; we allow false theology to be born. Some such doctrines seen in our modern-day churches include the prosperity gospel, the tolerance doctrines, and relativism. In a “A Little Book for New Theologians”, Kelly Kapic warns us of just such error as he describes God’s response to Israel relative to their worship depicted in Isaiah 1. Mr. Kapic wrote, “They have misunderstood Yahweh by not mirroring His heart, thus turning all their actions and words into corrupted religion.”1 So, the question again arises, “Can we begin to know God’s heart, if we don’t first bow reverently before His Throne of Justice?”
THE RISK OF FORGETTING JUSTICE
Focusing only upon God’s Mercy, Love and Grace; the modern day church risks the influx of a relativism that diminishes the devastation that sin effects in the heart of mankind; thus, disavowing the magnificent beauty of the Cross. Beyond that, it opens the floodgates for Atheistic critics who say, “a loving God could not allow this or that”. Furthermore, focusing only on God’s loving mercy leads one to believe somehow they deserve His love. Then, pride overtakes the sweet humility that comes from seeing God’s just wrath against sin; while, at the same time paying the price of salvation to all who would come. Or the sweet joy of discovering that God graciously had loved and made a way for sinners.
“Our study of the Bible is meant to build our relationship to God”2 “Part of the theologian’s task is to make sure our faith does not confuse cultural contingencies with normative continuities.”3
WHAT IF WE FOCUS ON JUSTICE ALONE?
Neither can we become so focused on His wrath and judgment that we forsake His Unmerited Grace toward all, bidding them to come. God hates sin; because it separates the creature from knowing Him. Therefore, His hatred of sin reflects His love; because, He desires our fullest happiness. And, God knows; there is no true joy apart from Him. “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, ‘Where is now their God?’ But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” (Psalm 115:1-3) All that God allows, He does so that mankind might see a glimpse of His Glory and desire it. He knows that nothing else can satisfy the longing of our souls, apart from Him.
GOD’S GLORY REVEALED
“It is a proper and excellent thing for infinite glory to shine forth; and for the same reason, it is proper that the shining forth of God’s glory should be complete; that is, that all parts of his glory should shine forth, that every beauty should be proportionably effulgent [=radiant], that the beholder may have a proper notion of God. It is not proper that one glory should be exceedingly manifested, and another not at all”4
Jonathan Edwards
To reconcile this dichotomy, Kelly Kapic suggests, “we must never forget that the purpose of the words are to draw us to the word and thus into the embrace of the triune God….that we might know the true God and respond to Him in repentance and faith.”5
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS:
Do you know God as your heavenly Father? Do you know the sweetness of sitting in His presence? God is the joy and love our hearts so desire; if only, we would seek Him above all else.
Concluding Tweets
[tweetthis]Ultimate delight in God comes when one is able to see His Glory displayed[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”God is the joy, love and peace our hearts so desire; if only we would seek Him” username=”effiedarlene”]
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?
If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here
footnotes:
1Kelly M. Kapic,A Little Book for New Theologians (Downers Grove,IL: IVP Academic, 2012), 87.
2Ibid., 113.
3Ibid., 95.
4 Jonathan Edwards, “Concerning the Divine Decrees”, The Works of Jonathan Edwards (Edinburgh, Scotland: Banner of Truth, 1974), p. 528
5 Kapic, Little Book for New Theologians, 117.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Kapic, Kelly M. A Little Book for New Theologians. Downers Grove,IL: IVP Academic, 2012.
OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE
If you want to know more about books I have written: You can read more about each one at: Book Resources.
©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.
Photo Courtesy of Brandy Worley