If you ask someone
the question, "If you die tonight, where will you go?", the answer is
most often "Heaven". If you
then ask them, "Why?", the answer is usually, "I'm a good
person".
Justice
Anyone who answers
this way does not understand the Law of GOD (1), nor their own
sinfulness; they do not understand Justice.
They may be vaguely familiar with "do not kill, do not commit
adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not covet"; but that
is not the same as truly understanding the Law.
GOD is right, true,
and perfect (2). Therefore
the requirements for acceptance under HIS Law are absolute perfection. The Lord Jesus explains clearly in Matthew
chapter 5 that anyone who is angry with another is guilty of murder in his
heart, and anyone who curses another is guilty of murder by his words (3),
and anyone who looks at a woman lustfully is guilty of adultery in his thoughts
(4). This shows us that the
Law is as much about our thoughts and attitudes as it is about our actual
actions.
To be accepted
before GOD, under HIS Law, we must have lived our entire lives without ever
having a sinful thought. We are even
required to love our enemies while they are attacking us. The Lord Jesus said plainly that we are to
bless them that curse us, and do good to them that hate us (5). Finally, HE finishes this very saying with,
"be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is
perfect".
This is the
Biblical understanding of the requirements of the Law of GOD. It is a sharp contrast with our pitiful and
feeble attempts to justify ourselves.
Consider the following examples of the self-righteous arguments that men
make:
a) When a list of commandments is given in
Scripture, just find one in each list that you didn't do. Somehow, then, you can argue that the rest of
the list doesn't apply. This is
equivalent to a criminal arguing to the Judge that the entire list of charges
against him should be dismissed simply because one of the charges has not be
proven. What would the Judge say to that
man?
b) When you are confronted with your sin, just
compare yourself to someone else who has committed a 'worse' sin. Somehow, then, your sin will be ignored. This is equivalent to a criminal arguing to
the Judge that the entire list of charges against him should be dismissed
simply because there are other criminals out there. What would the Judge say to that man?
c) When you are cornered with your guilt you can
admit it and it's ok because your 'good deeds' make up for your crimes. Somehow, then, your sin will be considered to
be paid for. This is equivalent to a
criminal arguing to the Judge that the entire list of charges against him
should be dismissed simply because he was volunteering in the community the
week before he committed the murder.
What would the Judge say to that man?
The Problem
It is clear, from
the plain meaning of Scripture, that none of us have ever kept the Law as we
are required to keep it. This is why
Paul writes in Romans 3 that there is NONE righteous. Yet, someone will argue, "except for...
", to which Paul already answers, "NO, NOT ONE".
The truth is that
we all know we are guilty. We all know
that we have not kept the Law as GOD requires.
We only invent these excuses to hide from the truth. We all know we have done things so wicked
that we could not reveal them to our closest friend. Imagine that someone had the ability to show
a video of our life; every word and action had been recorded. And our life was then displayed in front
everyone; opened up for all to see. We
all know we would hide in shame and embarrassment; we would never show our face
there again.
James 2:10 KJV For
whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty
of all.
The Bible places
all men in the same position. We have
already seen that the requirement for acceptance with GOD is absolute
perfection. In James 2:10 we see the
necessary conclusion of that fact: just
one sin means we are less than perfect and therefore guilty. GOD does not have a “sliding-scale” when it
comes to sin; there is only perfect, or guilty!
Proverbs 17:15 KJV He
that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are
abomination to the LORD.
As guilty sinners
we deserve only the wrath of GOD. And
GOD, who is perfect in justice, cannot simply forgive us because we ask HIM
to. Proverbs 17:15 makes is clear that
anyone who justifies a wicked man, is an abomination! We all know this to be true. Consider a Judge who is sentencing a
convicted criminal; the criminal is guilty of murder. But the Judge has taken a bribe, or the Judge
decides to be "merciful", and simply lets the criminal go free. But that is not mercy. That is not justice. We all know that crime must be punished; and
letting people get away with crimes is a corrupt thing! GOD is the perfect Judge, and Scripture
states that "the Judge of all the earth shall do right" (6).
The problem then,
is how can GOD forgive us?
Good News
GOD justly forgives
us, because our sin has already been punished.
The Law of GOD and the Justice of GOD must be satisfied, and the Lord
Jesus Christ has perfectly satisfied both!
HE lived a perfect life and had no sin.
But, HE took our sin upon himself so that HE could pay for it with HIS
own life.
Isaiah 53:5-6 KJV But he was wounded for our transgressions, he
was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and
with his stripes we are healed. (6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have
turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of
us all.
The Lord Jesus
Christ died in our place. GOD the Father
punished HIS own Son on the cross for our sins.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV (3)
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how
that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4)
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according
to the scriptures:
The Lord Jesus is alive; HE is raised from the grave because
his sacrifice and atonement for sin was accepted by the Father. The payment is complete!
Repent And Believe
GOD has done this for us because of HIS love.
John 3:16 KJV For God so loved the world, that he gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.
GOD offers the gift
of HIS son Jesus Christ to the world freely.
Now we are commanded to repent of our sins, and believe in Jesus
Christ (7).
Romans 10:9 KJV That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved.
References
(1) In this
article "Law" refers to the moral Law of GOD which does not
change. This is not a reference to the
Ceremonial Law, nor the Mosaic Covenant.
(2) Deuteronomy
32:4
(3) Matthew
5:21-22
(4) Matthew
5:27-28
(5) Matthew
5:43-48
(6) Genesis 18:25
(7) Mark 1:15