The Justice, Mercy and Righteousness of God in the Gospel

[journeymanisnothing]

All of humanity was crucified with Christ, Romans 6:18.

Only believers are crucified with Christ, because we put our own flesh to death,

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if yet hrough the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Rom.8:13

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Gal.5:24

All sin has been atoned for, 1 John 2:2. All of humanity has been reconciled unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. Unfortunately, all of humanity does not want to be reconciled unto God, they are the lost.

My friend, I also ignored the scriptures this brother was showing me and simply kept repeating the same verses I was indoctrinated with. That's what you're doing now. Once I actually examined the passages this other brother was showing me, I could only agree with him.

Again, the scripture you cited above concerning propitiation, are answered in our God, Jesus Christ, holding back his wrath against wicked sinners who nailed him to a cross.

Just think what your reaction would be to someone who spit in your face for no good reason, or mocked and slapped you all over the place.

Please understand this is our Creator we're talking about.

 

[Robert Pate]

Only believers are crucified with Christ, because we put our own flesh to death,

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if yet hrough the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Rom.8:13

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Gal.5:24

My friend, I also ignored the scriptures this brother was showing me and simply kept repeating the same verses I was indoctrinated with. That's what you're doing now. Once I actually examined the passages this other brother was showing me, I could only agree with him.

Again, the scripture you cited above concerning propitiation, are answered in our God, Jesus Christ, holding back his wrath against wicked sinners who nailed him to a cross.

Just think what your reaction would be to someone who spit in your face for no good reason, or mocked and slapped you all over the place.

Please understand this is our Creator we're talking about.

You don't seem to understand spiritual things.

Jesus has ALREADY reconciled us and the world unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. For now, God is at peace with the world because of the doing and the dying of Jesus. God sees all things in his Son Jesus Christ.

 

[journeymanisnothing]

You don't seem to understand spiritual things.

Jesus has ALREADY reconciled us and the world unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. For now, God is at peace with the world because of the doing and the dying of Jesus. God sees all things in his Son Jesus Christ.

Actually, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Rom.1:18,

which is why the passage you just cited shows Paul beseeching people to be reconciled to God, because they're not already.
Jesus instructs us to show sinners his mercy. He gives people time to repent, but his judgement falls on the unrepentant every day. Read Ecc.8:11-13.

 

[Robert Pate]

Actually, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Rom.1:18,

which is why the passage you just cited shows Paul beseeching people to be reconciled to God, because they're not already.
Jesus instructs us to show sinners his mercy. He gives people time to repent, but his judgement falls on the unrepentant every day. Read Ecc.8:11-13.

No one is suffering yet from God's wrath. That is yet to come.

Jesus has ALREADY reconciled the world unto God, but the reconciliation is not yours if you don't receive it. This is why Paul is urging people to be reconciled unto God.

The judgment has taken place yet. That is yet to come.

 

[GodsGrace]

In all of God's dealings with fallen humanity he is just, merciful and righteous. Nowhere is more evident than in the Gospel.

In the Gospel God punishes his Son Jesus Christ instead of fallen man who is the sinner and violator of God's Holy Law.

"For he has made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be become the righteousness of God in him" 2 Corinthians 5:29.

We are the guilty ones. We are the ones that broke God's Holy Law. We are the sinners, not Jesus Christ. Jesus was without sin. Yet there he is, taking our punishment for us. Is this justice? No, this is Mercy. God was merciful in sending his Son Jesus Christ into the world to die for our sins. God's law says... "The soul that sins must die" Christ dies for us, in our place.

We don't want justice, we want mercy. God would have been just if he just would have just wrapped up this whole universe in one big ball of fire when Adam sinned. Instead, he sends his Son Jesus Christ into the world to die for the sins of the world. Jesus is God's new Adam and the representative of the human race. His mission was to do for us that which we cannot do for ourselves.

God requires two things for the salvation of fallen man.

1. A life of perfect obedience according to his Holy Law.

2. A perfect atonement for the sins of humanity.

We cannot offer either one, we can't even come close. Sinners cannot save sinners, nor can sinners save themselves. This is the plight of fallen man. He stands before God's Holy Court as guilty and condemned. God is just. The justice of God's law demands that he be condemned. But God does not give us justice, instead he gives us mercy.

God is righteous, because he is righteous he must judge sin. If he didn't judge sin he would not be righteous. All that Adam did was he ate forbidden fruit. The sin was not really that bad, but because God is Holy and righteous, judgement and condemnation fell on Adam and Eve. Today, humanity is still suffering from the consequences from Adam's sin.

How righteous is God? Jesus Christ is the epitome of God's righteousness. He is the righteousness of God incarnate in human flesh. Jesus Christ had to be the "Lamb of God" that was without spot or wrinkle or he could not have atoned for our sins. When God made Jesus to be sin for us, we were being made the righteousness of God in him, 2 Corinthians 5:21. God saw sinful humanity in his Son Jesus Christ and put him to death, Romans 6:6. "The just for the unjust". When Jesus died on the cross, we died with him. When Jesus walked out of Joseph's new tomb, we walked out with him. When Jesus ascended into heaven, we ascended with him.

God now sees all things in his Son Jesus Christ. As far as God is concerned Jesus Christ has victoriously defeated sin, death and the devil and now sits in heaven as... "The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords" Revelation 19:16. And we are complete in him, Colossians 2:10.

Hi R,
Nice OP.
Hope to get back to it later.

Can I ask something first?
What do we mean when we say that God is righteous?

I like to say that God is: Love, Mercy, Just or Justice

But is it right to say God is righteous?
Man can be righteous...but God?
If I understand righteousness...it just means to be right with God...
So how is God right with God?

 

[JackrabbitSlim]

But is it right to say God is righteous?
Man can be righteous...but God?
If I understand righteousness...it just means to be right with God...
So how is God right with God?

Yes.
Romans 1:17 (ESV): For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith."

James 1:20 (NASB95): for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 4:24 (NASB95): and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

2 Corinthians 9:9 (NASB95): as it is written,
“He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,
His righteousness endures forever.”

Matthew 6:33 (NASB95): “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Romans 3:26 (NASB95): for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:25 (NASB95): whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

 

[GodsGrace]

Yes.
Romans 1:17 (ESV): For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith."

James 1:20 (NASB95): for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 4:24 (NASB95): and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

2 Corinthians 9:9 (NASB95): as it is written,
“He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,
His righteousness endures forever.”

Matthew 6:33 (NASB95): “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Romans 3:26 (NASB95): for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:25 (NASB95): whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

Thanks.
I don't quite understand how God could be said to be righteous.

 

[JackrabbitSlim]

Thanks.
I don't quite understand how God could be said to be righteous.

You are welcome. I understand the difficulty. When Scripture speaks contrary to what we believe, understand, or, don't understand, then we must seek out understanding through the power of the Holy Spirit, and change the way we think to align with what the Word of God says. Please, allow me to offer my view, and perhaps it may help you.

This would lead into a word study of both righteousness and, justification.

Romans 5:18 (NASB95): So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.

So, through the act of the "original sin" of the first Adam, sin came into the world, but, by the righteousness of the last Adam, the sin caused by the first Adam has been acquitted. The Greek word justified means, literally, acquittal.

I like the definition of righteousness that is given by the Gospel Collation:
"The righteousness of God is the divine attribute that describes God as acting always in a way that is consistent with his own character."

God cannot act contrary to His character. This goes to show the immutability of God.

Have you heard of Logos Bible Software? It has a great function that allows one to do word studies. Check it out. Something to consider.

Logos Subscription Plans and Pricing | Logos Bible Study Platform

Explore Logos’s versatile pricing plans for group leaders, pastors, and academics. Choose a curated library that's yours forever for the ultimate Logos Bible study experience.

www.logos.com

Also, might I suggest, Systematic Theology by Normal Geisler. It is a fantastic study. Also, check out Grace Notes. It is an extremely valuable free resource. It can be found here: www.gracenotes.info
If you have any questions, please, allow me to be of service to you. I will do the best I can to answer any questions.

 

[GodsGrace]

You are welcome. I understand the difficulty. When Scripture speaks contrary to what we believe, understand, or, don't understand, then we must seek out understanding through the power of the Holy Spirit, and change the way we think to align with what the Word of God says. Please, allow me to offer my view, and perhaps it may help you.

This would lead into a word study of both righteousness and, justification.

Romans 5:18 (NASB95): So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.

So, through the act of the "original sin" of the first Adam, sin came into the world, but, by the righteousness of the last Adam, the sin caused by the first Adam has been acquitted. The Greek word justified means, literally, acquittal.

I like the definition of righteousness that is given by the Gospel Collation:
"The righteousness of God is the divine attribute that describes God as acting always in a way that is consistent with his own character."

God cannot act contrary to His character. This goes to show the immutability of God.

Have you heard of Logos Bible Software? It has a great function that allows one to do word studies. Check it out. Something to consider.

Logos Subscription Plans and Pricing | Logos Bible Study Platform

Explore Logos’s versatile pricing plans for group leaders, pastors, and academics. Choose a curated library that's yours forever for the ultimate Logos Bible study experience.

www.logos.com

Also, might I suggest, Systematic Theology by Normal Geisler. It is a fantastic study. Also, check out Grace Notes. It is an extremely valuable free resource. It can be found here: www.gracenotes.info
If you have any questions, please, allow me to be of service to you. I will do the best I can to answer any questions.

I know and like Norman Geisler.
And I like the definition you posted of righteousness by the Gospel Coalition.
In fact, I love that definition.

Also, I understand how Jesus could be righteous...

I understand righteous to mean TO BE RIGHT WITH GOD.

The only other way this could be understandable is if we accept that
righteous means the state of being perfect and without sin.

God IS perfect and without sin (of course).

 

[Robert Pate]

Hi R,
Nice OP.
Hope to get back to it later.

Can I ask something first?
What do we mean when we say that God is righteous?

I like to say that God is: Love, Mercy, Just or Justice

But is it right to say God is righteous?
Man can be righteous...but God?
If I understand righteousness...it just means to be right with God...
So how is God right with God?

God is righteous because he always keeps his promises, nor can he lie or be unjust.

 

[journeymanisnothing]

No one is suffering yet from God's wrath. That is yet to come.

Jesus has ALREADY reconciled the world unto God, but the reconciliation is not yours if you don't receive it. This is why Paul is urging people to be reconciled unto God.

The judgment has taken place yet. That is yet to come.

Final judgement is yet to come, but his wrath can be seen now, because as I showed from Rom.1:18, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness, so you're wrong.

It's just so plain that killing an innocent man is not justice. There's nothing just about it.
The true gospel is that Jesus our God who came to earth as a man, did not immediately annihilate people who sinned against him. That's his mercy.

 

[jerry63935]

our justice turned into Justification

 

[Robert Pate]

Final judgement is yet to come, but his wrath can be seen now, because as I showed from Rom.1:18, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness, so you're wrong.

It's just so plain that killing an innocent man is not justice. There's nothing just about it.
The true gospel is that Jesus our God who came to earth as a man, did not immediately annihilate people who sinned against him. That's his mercy.

There is no judgment for sins committed by humanity yet. But it is to come.

The wrath of God revealed from heaven is when Jesus became sin for us, 2 Corinthians 5:21. Jesus took our sins upon himself and became sin for us. Jesus took our judgment for us, and God put him to death.

 

[JackrabbitSlim]

Matthew 5:45 (NASB95): so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

 

[Robert Pate]

Matthew 5:45 (NASB95): so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

That scripture is saying that there is no physical benefit to being a Christian, because the rain falls on the just and the unjust.

 

[journeymanisnothing]

There is no judgment for sins committed by humanity yet. But it is to come.

The wrath of God revealed from heaven is when Jesus became sin for us, 2 Corinthians 5:21. Jesus took our sins upon himself and became sin for us. Jesus took our judgment for us, and God put him to death.

It's like a man looking out a window at thugs beating and killing his child... and being happy about it. That's contemptable.

 

[journeymanisnothing]

Matthew 5:45 (NASB95): so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Yes and how to bless the unjust is,

Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Mt.5:44

That's how our King behaved toward his enemies, who hated and persecuted him.
Our Father was only pleased by how his Son showed mercy to sinners. God finds no pleasure in how evil men abused our Lord.

 

[Robert Pate]

It's like a man looking out a window at thugs beating and killing his child... and being happy about it. That's contemptable.

Because of the doing and the dying of Jesus we have been reconciled unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.

God was well pleased with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and accepted him back into heaven where he sat him at his own right hand and made him, "The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords" Revelation 19:16.

 

[journeymanisnothing]

Because of the doing and the dying of Jesus we have been reconciled unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.

No one is reconciled to God without repenting of the sins committed against him. God knew people would sin against him. He was never happy about it. In fact, those who refuse to repent of the vile sins inflicted on Jesus,

He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, Mt.21:41

So, you're wrong.

God was well pleased with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and accepted him back into heaven where he sat him at his own right hand and made him, "The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords" Revelation 19:16.

He was born King of kings and Lord of lords,

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Lk.2:11

In fact he was always and always will be God. So, you're wrong. I was too once. Not anymore.

 

[Robert Pate]

No one is reconciled to God without repenting of the sins committed against him. God knew people would sin against him. He was never happy about it. In fact, those who refuse to repent of the vile sins inflicted on Jesus,

He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, Mt.21:41

So, you're wrong.

He was born King of kings and Lord of lords,

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Lk.2:11

In fact he was always and always will be God. So, you're wrong. I was too once. Not anymore.

Jesus has already reconciled us and the world unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. The world is everyone, sinners and all.

Salvation has ALREADY been provided for EVERYONE, Hebrews 2:9. But nothing is ours until it is received by faith, John 1:12. To be saved you must trust in Christ and his Gospel for your salvation, Ephesians 1:13.

God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, Acts 2:36.