Love and Justice

The LORD, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple. But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the LORD’s anger could no longer be restrained and nothing could be done. [2 Chronicles 36.15-16]

God has character. His character includes many traits. 

Among God's character traits is His compassion - His love. It is massive and it is powerful.

Another character trait of God is His justice. His justice is tied directly to His anger.

Let's look at these two character traits in John 3.16.

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish [justice] but have eternal life [love]. [John 3.16 - []'s are my explanation]

Love is giving. God is a giver. From the very beginning, God is seen as Creator (a giver). Perhaps it could be said that love is God's primary trait. Love is what God desires to do. For this is how God loved the world: He gave...

Justice however is taking. It is necessary in order to contrast love. Perfect love can only exist in the presence of pure justice. That is why it was necessary for there to be a tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden. Justice is necessary for love to be untainted. Justice protects love. Love demands justice. Justice is not what God desires to do but what must be done to protect love. Love gives life. Justice takes life.

But why does justice take life? It does so in order to preserve life. Justice therefore is an act of love.

Justice is unnecessary in the presence of only good. However, when evil is also present, then justice becomes necessary to protect love.

Justice was unnecessary in the world until evil was introduced. But once the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of both good and evil was consumed, justice was there to protect the 'good'.

God's love is seen throughout the writings of the Old Testament as the opening passage above confirms. God's compassion leads His relationship with mankind. However, evil cannot be looked upon by perfect love without eventually breaching the restraining 'firewall' of patience (a characteristic of love) and invoking justice.

Obedience assures the obedient of uninterrupted love. 

Disobedience invites justice upon the disobedient even though the 'firewall' of patience provides at least some initial but limited protection.

So what about Jesus? Good question! God indeed lovingly gave Jesus to prevent justice, but that prevention is ONLY activated in the obedience of faith of everyone who believes. Jesus did not do away with the responsibility to obey!

It is a perfect system. God made it good. Jesus made it complete. Faith makes it ours. The Holy Spirit makes it work.

Father, thank You for Your amazing love and justice. Thank You that even justice is resultant to Your love. Thank You for Jesus Who only more perfectly clarified Your love and justice and how they relate to one another.