God in his infinite mercy has devised a way by which justice can be satisfied, and yet mercy can be triumphant. Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father, took upon himself the form of man, and offered unto Divine Justice that which was accepted as an equivalent for the punishment due to all his people. -- Charles Spurgeon
History...A Conveyor Belt of Corpses
Death is horrible. Death causes people to weep, moan, groan, cry, & scream in terror when a loved one has been swallowed by it. Many people have the philosophy that 'death is part of life' and death is "natural". Death is actually unnatural and it is not a part of life. It's unnatural because you and I were created to live and not die. Death makes no sense unless you understand the fall of man and that it is divine punishment for our rebellion & lawless ways. Your death and my death will be proof that we have sinned against the Holiness of God Almighty. Do you know there is a 100% chance that you will die? Ten out of ten people die...this is the ultimate statistic. An estimated 150 thousand people die everyday. History is a conveyor belt of corpses.
Imagine going to court for crimes you committed. The evidence against you is overwhelming. You think about bribing the judge by telling him the good things you have done in life, hoping your good outweighs the bad. You even give him a gift. The judge sees right through your heart and is not concerned with your bribe or your so-called good you have done. He is a good judge so he is determined to do his job well. You are found guilty and the judge is ready to sentence you and give you the punishment you justly deserve. At this moment, would you be more than willing to settle out of court for a great deal...meaning have your case completely dismissed? Who wouldn't? The Bible teaches that most people believe they are good.
"Most men will proclaim each his own goodness," Proverbs 20:6.
According to man's basic standards, you likely believe yourself to be a good person. If you compared yourself to Adolf Hitler, Osama Bin Laden, and Saddam Hussein you would probably look like a pretty moral person. The Bible teaches that all have violated God's perfect standard: The Ten Commandments. Would you be willing to be honest with yourself and God to see how you will do on judgment day?
Imagine going to court for crimes you committed. The evidence against you is overwhelming. You think about bribing the judge by telling him the good things you have done in life, hoping your good outweighs the bad. You even give him a gift. The judge sees right through your heart and is not concerned with your bribe or your so-called good you have done. He is a good judge so he is determined to do his job well. You are found guilty and the judge is ready to sentence you and give you the punishment you justly deserve. At this moment, would you be more than willing to settle out of court for a great deal...meaning have your case completely dismissed? Who wouldn't? The Bible teaches that most people believe they are good.
"Most men will proclaim each his own goodness," Proverbs 20:6.
According to man's basic standards, you likely believe yourself to be a good person. If you compared yourself to Adolf Hitler, Osama Bin Laden, and Saddam Hussein you would probably look like a pretty moral person. The Bible teaches that all have violated God's perfect standard: The Ten Commandments. Would you be willing to be honest with yourself and God to see how you will do on judgment day?
Most people would agree that God is powerful since creation declares His glory. It is impossible to have creation without a creator. A painting is proof there was a painter. A building is proof there was a builder. We enjoy so much what God has created and it is His delight to give good things to us. But what does God expect from us...what does He desire?
"Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts" Psalm 51:6
Does He care about right and wrong? What does He require from us. Does he overlook the acts of murderers, rapists, child molesters, liars, and thieves? If a judge lets a murderer go free, is that a just judge? Of course not. Most people are willing to accept a God that is all loving, but are there other characteristics about God we should not ignore? The Bible teaches that God delights in loving-kindness and justice. (Jer. 9:24). Please don't rush through these questions. Consider them as if your life depended on it.
"No one is good but One, that is, God." Luke 18:19
Have you lied (even once)? Ever stolen anything? If you said yes, you've admitted that you are a lying thief. If you hate someone, you are a murderer (1 John 3:15). Jesus said, "Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matt. 5:28). Consider how God sees you. Jesus said, “No one is good but One, that is, God” (Matt. 19:17). The Bible tells us, "It is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). This means we have an appointment with death and God will bring every deed into judgment. There's no second chance and no purgatory. A good judge must punish criminals. If you are found guilty on Judgment Day, you will end up in hell. Would it not be better to settle out of court?
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
John 3:17
Motivated by loving-kindness, God sent His Son, Christ Jesus into the world to be crucified on a cross taking our punishment on Himself. Because Jesus was sinless, His sacrifice perfectly satisfied God’s justice and wrath. "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). He defeated death and rose from the grave. Repent (turn from your sins) and put your faith in Jesus and God will forgive your sins and grant you eternal life-- "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God…" (Ephesians 2:8,9). “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). Loving-kindness OR Justice? Mercy or Wrath - Which will it be? Do not believe the lie that you have done too many bad things in your life for God to forgive you. He came to save the worst man on the earth. Read your Bible daily and feel free to e-mail us at [email protected] with any questions or comments.
"Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts" Psalm 51:6
Does He care about right and wrong? What does He require from us. Does he overlook the acts of murderers, rapists, child molesters, liars, and thieves? If a judge lets a murderer go free, is that a just judge? Of course not. Most people are willing to accept a God that is all loving, but are there other characteristics about God we should not ignore? The Bible teaches that God delights in loving-kindness and justice. (Jer. 9:24). Please don't rush through these questions. Consider them as if your life depended on it.
"No one is good but One, that is, God." Luke 18:19
Have you lied (even once)? Ever stolen anything? If you said yes, you've admitted that you are a lying thief. If you hate someone, you are a murderer (1 John 3:15). Jesus said, "Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matt. 5:28). Consider how God sees you. Jesus said, “No one is good but One, that is, God” (Matt. 19:17). The Bible tells us, "It is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). This means we have an appointment with death and God will bring every deed into judgment. There's no second chance and no purgatory. A good judge must punish criminals. If you are found guilty on Judgment Day, you will end up in hell. Would it not be better to settle out of court?
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
John 3:17
Motivated by loving-kindness, God sent His Son, Christ Jesus into the world to be crucified on a cross taking our punishment on Himself. Because Jesus was sinless, His sacrifice perfectly satisfied God’s justice and wrath. "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). He defeated death and rose from the grave. Repent (turn from your sins) and put your faith in Jesus and God will forgive your sins and grant you eternal life-- "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God…" (Ephesians 2:8,9). “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). Loving-kindness OR Justice? Mercy or Wrath - Which will it be? Do not believe the lie that you have done too many bad things in your life for God to forgive you. He came to save the worst man on the earth. Read your Bible daily and feel free to e-mail us at [email protected] with any questions or comments.
Please read and deeply consider the Bible verses below on the topics of Law, Man's Goodness, Judgment, Why Christ Came, and the Grace of God.
All Scripture references below are from the New King James Bible
Scriptures on The Law
"Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20)
"Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." (Romans 3:19)
"The law of the LORD is perfect..." (Psalm 19:7)
"Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness." (1 John 3:4)
"Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." (Romans 3:19)
"The law of the LORD is perfect..." (Psalm 19:7)
"Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness." (1 John 3:4)
Scriptures on Man's Goodness
"Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?" (Proverbs 20:6).
"As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;" (Romans 3:10)
"The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked;…” (Jeremiah 17:9)
"…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23)
"So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God." (Mark 10:18-19)
"As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;" (Romans 3:10)
"The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked;…” (Jeremiah 17:9)
"…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23)
"So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God." (Mark 10:18-19)
Scriptures on God's Judgment
“…because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained." (Acts 17:31)
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36)
"For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36)
"For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)
Scriptures on Why Christ Jesus Came
"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,..." (1 Timothy 1:15)
“…for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)
"For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." (Luke 9:56)
"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8)
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17)
"Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." (Romans 5:9-10)
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;" (Isaiah 53:5)
“…for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10)
"For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." (Luke 9:56)
"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8)
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:17)
"Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." (Romans 5:9-10)
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;" (Isaiah 53:5)
Scriptures on The Grace of God
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7-8)
"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)
"God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,.." (Ephesians 2:8)
"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17)
"God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,.." (Ephesians 2:8)
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