Guilty. BANG! Not many of us have been on the receiving end of a judge rendering justice for a wrong done. But those of you who have, its probable that you may never forget the sound, the words, or the feelings of the moment when the judge pronounced the words of justice.

While not many of us have lived that experience, we all have felt (unrightly?) judged. Just last week in my 6^th – 8^th grade Sunday School class, I was pointing out a ‘violation’ of a classroom standard. One of the young men, his voice at a high pitch, quickly responded “Yes, but the girls…..” in defense. We are quick, as mankind, to excuse our errors in defense of justice on ourselves. As we look back through the scripture, we see that our forebears, Adam and Eve, had the same sort of response.

To be one that dispenses justice, there must be authority. As Christians, we know who our judge will be and why he has the authority. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. Revelation 19:11. There is no question, God and Christ will be the one who ultimately metes out justice on the fallen world. They can do so because they are righteous.

Because this is who God is, we fear him. Our culture and society today teach us to fear justice when we violate the law. (How do you feel when you first see lights flashing in your review mirror?) This is part of the reason we can have a view of God that is one of fear. But that is a reactive fear, and not the kind of fear God wants us to have. Rather, we should seek to develop the proactive fear of God described in Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. This leads us to willful obedience, desiring to do God’s will! It also can foster a humble, repentant heart when we do deserve his justice.

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In a recent sermon in our local church, the minister shared “God’s mercy will always surpass his justice.” Those two things, mercy and justice, can be opposites and seem to have no place with each other. But until the final day of judgement this is a truth we can rely on. And his mercy is on them that fear him… Luke 1:50. Consider that. Isn’t it wonderful? Can it really be true?

We can see it verified in the story of the prodigal son. We know the story very well. The father in the story is God. The son, well, that’s you and me. We are confronted by satan, telling us that we’ve come short and sinned. And with fear, we return to God, fearful of his justice. We agonize over it, roleplay our meeting with the father, practice the words that will appease him. Then as we shuffle back toward him with a humble, contrite, and repentant heart, we lift our eyes in fear, and he is running toward us.

He takes us in his arms. We start to speak the words “I have sinned” but the force of his embrace stops the words. We feel his kiss upon our neck. Then the words we practiced pour out. “Father, I have sinned….I am unworthy….” But it is almost as if he ignores the words as he welcomes us.

If you are bound in sin, struggling with repentance, and fearing how your judge will meet you, remember this story. Remember the prodigal son. Remember that while the door of grace remains open, God’s mercy surpasses his justice. Return with a repentant heart and know that he will receive you. 

By Rick Aberle