Day 26 – Justice Done

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Let’s say an employee was seriously injured on the job. The doctors did all they could do, but the employee was still left partially paralyzed. An investigation was done and the court declared that the company was at fault, because it didn’t provide a safe work place or the proper safety equipment. Thus the company was liable for the hazardous conditions that resulted in this man’s injury and permanent paralysis. The court would most likely award the injured man a large amount of money for his pain, suffering, and permanent injury. Once the company pays the judgment against it, it has atoned for its wrongdoings. The demands of justice have been satisfied. Its debt to the man has been paid. The company no longer has any responsibility toward the injured man. That is an atonement. But what about how the injured man feels toward the company? He may be filled with resentment, bitterness, anger, even hatred. He may spend the rest of his life abhorring the very name of that company, even though they gave him more money than he could possibly use. The debt that the wrong brought about has been atoned for and paid for. But the feeling of anger that the wrong brought about has not been appeased or pacified. When Jesus willingly died on the cross, his atoning sacrifice not only covered over our sins and brought us into relationship with God. Christ’s atoning sacrifice also satisfied God’s justice! Something very wrong was made right. Justice was done. Our debt of sin has been paid. And Christ’s atoning sacrifice appeased God’s anger! The offense of our sins has been removed. God’s feelings have been pacified. Amazingly, God’s love prompted it all: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son.” Praise: Give God praise for Christ’s atonement for your sins: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33). This is God’s Word for you today, Pastor Dave