Ask the Pastor

By Pastor Scott Denham of Harvest Fellowship, Shambaugh, IA

Clarinda Herald Journal Publication Date : 12/28/05

 

God’s Greatest Quality

 

Dear Pastor Scott,

       God seems to be portrayed in lots of different ways in the media and by different religions. What do you think is the greatest distinguishing characteristic of God?   --K. B. (of San Diego)

Dear K. B.,
            God’s nature and character, every aspect of his power, love, knowledge, and holiness, are so intertwined as to be inseparable. If I were to choose one “distinguishing characteristic,” however, it would be God’s “Just-Mercy.” This quality sets God above and apart from all other caricatures and so-called “gods.”

            Other religions may emphasize some aspect of divine justice or mercy, but none comes close to discovering this transcendent quality. J. B. Phillips said; “We want, in fact, not so much a Father in heaven as a grandfather in heaven—a senile benevolence who, as they say, ‘liked to see young people enjoying themselves’ and whose plan for the universe was simply that it might be truly said at the end of each day, ‘a good time was had by all.’”

            But that’s not the God of the Bible. Love and justice are two sides of the same coin. We see this in the legal sphere. A law without a consequence is only good advice. Laws that govern just societies are for the common good. They are “loving” in that they are intended for our highest good. Keep the law and it will go well with you. Violate it, and be prepared for the consequences. Love and justice always go together.

            We understand this to be just in the world in which we live—it is no different from God’s eternal perspective. Problem is, we are lawbreakers—everyone of us. Romans 3:23 says “all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” We may not be murders or thieves, but our egocentric nature is such that we choose selfishly, even though we know we could choose otherwise.

            Because He is loving, God longs to extend mercy.  At the same time, his justice demands that His laws be upheld. Only in the cross of Christ do we see mercy and  justice meet in perfect agreement.

            1 John 1:9 says, “He is faithful & just to forgive us our sins.” God’s forgiveness is not the mere wave of the hand to dismiss sin, but an act of costly justice exacted from God’s Son.  In the cross, God unleashes the fullness of His wrath on sin. Then, and only then, can true mercy be given.

            For we who place our faith in Christ, turning from sin to follow God, Jesus takes our place on the cross, and bears the brunt of our penalty.

            Consider the irony: Jesus gets what I deserve, and I by wondrous miracle, get what He deserves. He receives my punishment—I his innocence. That may not be fair, but it is just-mercy, which is better by far.

       --Pastor Scott

To submit your question for Pastor Scott, you may write to: Ask The Pastor, PO Box 98, Shambaugh, IA 51651, or harvest@heartland.net, and on the web at www.askpastorscott.com