Understanding the Absolute Justice of God in the Light of His Goodness. How? ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

How often do we get lost in the light of His Goodness thereby forgetting the Absolute Justice of God? For example. We sin a little bit in some area. His grace and love cover us. And we do not face any punishment. At least that we see. Then overtime, we become a little more daring. We rest so assuredly in the Light of His Goodness, that we become cavalier in our approach to His Justice. He saved me from my sin and clothed me in the righteousness of Christ. Therefore, should I think, “I do not fear the consequences of my sin”? Instead, if I do truly recognize His Goodness is what called me to Him. Would that not mean I owe Him everything, including my heart, my mind, and my desires?

Sometimes, we face illness, suffering or loss and say, “Why God? I don’t deserve this! Haven’t I followed you?”. Ah but the truth is I deserve eternal death, were it not for the Grace and Goodness of God. He gave His only begotten son to die to pay the price for my sin. Nothing I have done could ever meet with His standards of righteousness. How often have I failed Him? Or I failed to show His grace to others? Particularly when I have felt betrayed? So often I have judged others without cause. When I sacrificially give, sometimes I expect gratitude or praise in return. When that happens, am I not doing the right thing for the wrong reason? Do I always do it to bring only God Glory? Or sometimes do I start out doing it for God. Then inside I desire glory for me. Is that not an example of forgetting His Goodness?

The world also ignores the gracious goodness of God. When they blaspheme His name. He does not open the earth to swallow them immediately. Is that not proof of His Goodness. But, alas they do not see it.

The Absolute Justice of God—from the beginning.

When God created the heaven and the earth, He created Adam and Eve. He gave them everything they needed and walked daily in the garden with them. But because love cannot be love without choice, He gave them one command. You may not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. For the day you do you shall surely die. Spiritually, they did die. But he did not take their physical life immediately from them do to the light of His Goodness toward them. Yet, amid the light of His goodness, He provided a way of salvation. That salvation did cost the life of a substitutionary animal to begin with. This would symbolize the salvation He planned to provide through His Only Begotten Son’s payment for their sin.

Yet, recognizing the light of His goodness, Cain believed he could present to God whatever. In his abuse of God’s goodness, he became angry when God refused his “gift”. It was clear. Most certainly his parents would have told him the horror of death entering the world. But just as we see so many moralists of our day. Cain wanted God to accept his ideals of morals rather than he accept God’s righteous command. The wages of sin are death. No substitute of works would do. Even then God offered him a chance to repent. To do the right thing. He warned him that sin was crouching at the door of his heart, but he did not heed the warning. Therefore, he seethed in his self-pity and anger which grew until he killed his brother. Then, after that, he protested his punishment too great, although God’s mercy allowed him to live.

The Absolute Justice of God Presented

As we turn to chapter 2 of Romans, Paul presents his case meticulously for the Absolute Justice of God. He had just completed the description of mankind’s spiraling downward away from God’s grace in Chapter 1. God had revealed Himself throughout the ages by many means. He presented the depth of His wrath in the Flood. As well as in Sodom and Gomorrah, and while dealing with the rebellious people both in Israel and the world. How often He demonstrated His wrath so they would know He is a Just and Righteous God! There is no unholiness within Him. Meanwhile, He also demonstrated His Long-suffering nature and His Goodness.

Yet, after describing the wickedness of debauchery from sexual sin, Paul turns to the self-righteous hypocrites. Those who declare themselves righteous by their own deeds.

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. Romans 2:1 NKJV

The absolute Justice of God includes knowledge. If you consider yourself capable of judging another you have declared, you know what is right and wrong. Therefore, when you sin you do so knowingly, willingly, and with foreknowledge. Furthermore, often the self-righteous are proclaiming. “I am not as bad as he or she is; therefore, God is not concerned with my sin.” But God does not categorize sin in degrees as we do. Sin is sin. All sin falls short of the Glory of God. He is perfectly holy and can not pardon any sin and remain perfectly just. Therefore, all sin requires death. That is why, in the light of His Goodness, Jesus died to pay the price of sin for all who believe in Him as their only means of Salvation.

The Absolute Justice of God Based on Truth

But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. Romans 2:2 NKJV

Abraham Lincoln once said, “”You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time”

_{¹ https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/275126-you-can-fool-some-of-the-people-all-of-the; accessed 7/19/2025}

People often live lives of deception, presenting themselves as what they are not. But God sees the heart. He judges with truth. Indeed, He sees my heart with greater clarity than I can. I may think my motive to be pure, even when it clearly is not when examined by His perfect eyes.

But we can be certain His assessment and judgment is perfect.

And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Romans 2: 3 NKJV

How is it that we think we can fool God? How many religious people say they know Christ but don’t? Or moralists who claim themselves righteous in their judgement; but, base nothing on God’s word?

The Absolute Justice of God Due to Abusing and Despising His Goodness

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4 NKJV

Remember, God had displayed His Goodness and long-suffering nature, desiring Cain’s repentance. But alas Cain abused His Goodness demanding more kindness and no punishment. But how often do we do the same?

Instead of Proclaiming His Goodness during times of difficulty, we become angry with God. Why? We know in His wisdom and love, He chooses to allow hardship in our lives. There amid the trials, He reveals the depth of His Love and kindness to us. If only we could see where it all will lead us. And sometimes our greatest witness and testimony is His faithfulness through the trials. Therefore, it may be for the Good of the Kingdom.

Furthermore, despite God demonstrating His Wrath and His Goodness, so many ignore Him. They abuse His kindness. How often do you hear His name used in vain? Sometimes, I wish He would open up the earth and swallow them as He did Korah. But if He did, what about me? How could I be left standing? I should be just so overwhelmed by His Mercy and Kindness to me that I see others through His eyes.

The Absolute Justice of God Does Look Deep within the Heart

But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. Romans 2:5

God’s justice will be fair. Each will be accountable to Him for the number of times they have refused to repent. Will there be degrees in Hell? Certainly, I believe so. But best not to go there to find out. Better to repent now instead of building up wrath continuously until then. Those who have been given much, much is required. Jesus spoke this in a Parable

And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will take a long time to come,’ and he begins to beat the other slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; then the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in two, and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accordance with his will, will receive many blows, but the one who did not know it, and committed acts deserving of a beating, will receive only a few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Luke 12: 42-50 NASB

Jesus will return in judgment. He saw the sin then. And He wished righteousness could reign immediately. But not before He would take all the wrath, die and be resurrected again. His love overshadowing His hatred of sin until the time is come. In His humanity, He felt the overwhelming sadness that we sometimes feel looking at the world. We groan for His return. But we know He will when the time is right.

The Absolute Justice of God is Fair without Partiality of Persons

who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. Romans 2:6-11 (NKJV)

So, are we to think our deeds can save us? Absolutely not! But our deeds can be the outward expression of the heart. The phrase “eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality” is referring to the “new heart” given to true believers. They are seeking the glory, honor and immortality of God within them. Not that good works leads to salvation; but, can be the manifestation of a truly transformed heart. Only God Himself, who sees the heart, can rightly judge all people. Yet, we should be able to see some fruit of their salvation.

The Absolute Justice of God in the World

Some would say that it is unfair if someone never has the chance to hear the gospel. But God ascertains, that all who are born are given a moment of God awareness. Punishment degree will be based fairly by a just God.

For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. Romans 2: 12-16 NKJV

A real life example

I took this excerpt from a sermon of John McArthur. It presents clearly how God displays to every person a knowledge of Himself. John McArthur went to be with His Lord and Savior this week. But I do believe the testimony he shared here says it so clearly, it must be included in this note.

“The sum of it is this, people: Creation, conduct, conscience, contemplation, what they do, how they deal with the good and bad in their own life and how they deal with it in the lives of others indicates that they know the law of God as written in them. Now, here is the most important thing I’ve said yet. The sum of it is this: If they live up to that much light, and they accept that much light, God will reveal to them the full light of Jesus Christ. I believe that with all my heart. You see, that’s what it says in Acts 17, “He is not far from us if we would feel after Him.” You see? If they would just take what they have and accept that. John 7:17 – mark it down. “If any man wills to do My Father’s Will, he shall know of the teaching.” If the willing heart is there, he’ll know.

We had a living illustration of this in our church the last week, a man by the name of Augustus Marway. Some of you came on Wednesday night and heard his testimony. He is proof positive of this, and I have his testimony, and I’m just going to read a few excerpts from it. This man lived in a village involved in tribal wars. Never put a stitch of clothes on his body until he was 14. In a most aboriginal circumstance in Africa. And this is his own testimony.

‘I resented it whenever strangers passing through the village were invited to our house. At first Mother allowed me and my two brothers to eat with the guest, but I made a pig of myself, stuffing my mouth with handfuls of rice and grabbing another handful before I could even swallow what I had. Mother was ashamed of me. She wouldn’t let me eat with the guests after that. I would just sit and glare at the visitors, making them feel uncomfortable until they would invite me to the table.

From then on, Mother made me sit outside the house until the guests had finished eating. I don’t know what made me so incorrigible. In fact, the whole village asked the question, “What’s the matter with that son of Marway?” they would ask and my poor parents were at their wits’ end.

Even though I loved my mother dearly, I found myself doing terrible things. I can remember seeing her sitting on a bench outside the house and impulsively picking up a stick to throw at her legs. I missed her and struck a little child, hurting him badly.

At times like that, the villagers would join my parents in meting out a punishment. That time, they held me down on the ground by my legs and my arms while they poured a bowl of hot pepper soup down my nose. I nearly choked to death, and for hours afterward my nose burned.’

There’s a new one for you, mom and dad. If Campbell’s only knew. Let me stop in this testimony for a moment. Why did that tribe of aboriginal people who never heard about the true God, who never heard of the gospel, never heard the name Jesus, why did they punish a young boy for throwing a stick and hurting a child? Why? Who told them that was wrong? Why did this young man feel guilty? He told us when he talked to our staff one day, he said, “My heart was broken every day because I loved my mother and I knew she was ashamed of me, but I couldn’t correct my behavior.” Why did he feel that way? Where did he get to feel that guilt? Where did that come from? And why was his mother ashamed of him? Who told her what the standard was?

He goes on: ‘I couldn’t understand myself. After one of those episodes, I would go off into the forest and pound my head against a tree, crying, “What’s wrong with me? I should kill myself.” I hated being the white sheep of the family.

All depends on your perspective.

He says: ‘But one day when I was about twelve years old, a boy returned to our village from the coast where he had been visiting his father. By the way, that was a long, long, long journey by foot. None of us younger ones had ever seen the ocean, so we crowded around him to hear all about it. It was as though he had been to the moon and back. Enjoying the acclaim, he kept us spellbound with his experiences as he recounted the strange things he saw. Among other things, he told us about how some people on the coast met together in a house on Sundays and they sang and stayed a long time.

He couldn’t figure out what they were doing, and finally his curiosity got the better of him, so he asked one of the villagers, “What do you do in there for such a long time?” They told him they were praying to God, the God who created everything, and they said they believed He heard their prayers.

I had never heard anything like this. A God who hears your prayers? It excited me. And I wanted to pray to God, too. I asked the boy to meet me on Sunday, since that’s the day they met in that house, and we would go someplace outside the village and he could tell me how to pray. But he wasn’t interested. Disappointed, I decided the next Sunday to try it by myself.

I went to a hut that my cousin was still building, and with no one around, I tried to pray for the first time. I had never heard anyone pray, but I decided I would just talk to this God like He was my father. I can’t explain what happened but it was an exciting experience. I wanted to know more about this God, but there was no one in our village who knew anything about Him. So for two years, I kept praying by myself on Sundays and hoping that someday someone would come along who could tell me about Him.’

You see? Now, he lived up to the light he had, didn’t he? He followed that light.

‘About this time, the government started building a motor road to prepare for the new invention called the automobile. And along with many of my relatives, we spent two weeks a month for the next two years building the road under terrible working conditions. Then I went back to Sadore, where I had been born, to stay with my cousin. When I reached Sadore, I made the most wonderful discovery of my entire life for in Sadore there was a house where people met to pray to the God who created the world.

How excited I was. I could hardly wait for Sunday. All night I lay on my mat, waiting for that bell that my cousin said would ring and call us to that house. That morning I sat in the back. I listened to a man tell about God for the first time in my life. I found He was far more wonderful than I had ever imagined. The preacher said that God loved the world so much that He sent His only Son, named Jesus, to take away my sins. I wondered if He knew how terrible I was. I wondered if He knew the awful things I had done back in my village. But the preacher said no matter what I had done, God would forgive me and make my heart clean.’

Listen to this next statement.

‘I knew it was all true.’

How did he know that? How did he know that was true? You say, “Well, he went to the counseling room. They gave him a sheet on apologetics.” How did he know that was true? He was following a light God had given him, and that was the next logical step, and his heart was a prepared heart.

‘Hadn’t this God heard my prayers when I talked to Him and asked Him to help me? Hadn’t He sent me here to Sadore when I didn’t even know He had one of His houses here? I gave my heart to God that morning and it was nice to know He had a Son, too. He was really a father, just like I had been praying to. ‘

You know what happened to that man? That man became the most significant man in the nation of Liberia in our day in founding and building churches.

Do you get the picture? You see, the very – listen to this – the very fact that that could occur proves the heathen have the knowledge if they’ll live up to it. God will be fair, no favorites, but each is responsible for the light he has.”

²_{McArthur, John, Principles of God’s Judgement Part 4b, https://www.gty.org/sermons/45-20B/principles-of-gods-judgment-part-4b, sermon dated October 18, 1981; accessed 7/19/2025}

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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Self-reason, Pride, And the Spurning of God Leads to World Destruction

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