A God of Love and Justice? How Can That Be?
How can God be love and justice at the same time? Is that possible? Surely God is either one or the other. First of all, let me be clear on this: God is on a whole different playing field than mere humans. He is Creator God of everything that has been, is now, and will be in the future, and that makes Him much bigger than we could ever comprehend. He is most definitely a God of love and justice simultaneously.
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). “And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice” (Psalm 50:6).
So, why do bad things happen to good people? We’ve all heard that before. If God is love, why is there so much pain and suffering in the world? That one, too. Is there a line where God’s love and mercy end and His justice begins? Actually, in this life, God’s mercy is on both sides of that line. We naturally accept the truth that God’s love and mercy coexist. However, one goal of God’s justice is that man will turn to Him, and that, my friend, is mercy. “Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you” (Jeremiah 26:13).
Think deeply. God’s justice proves His love for man. Likewise, His great love verifies He is a just and holy God. One day when I am a resident of heaven and I notice that someone I loved on earth is not there, will I be sad? No, I will still praise God for His awesome love and justice.
“And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man” (Genesis 6:3 KJV). There is a line, and it is the day your heart beats for the last time. That day will shout God’s ultimate love for the one who believes in Him and His Son Jesus Christ. At the same time, for the one who rejected the truth and salvation found in Jesus alone, he will experience God’s ultimate justice as he plunges to hell. At that point, eternal justice is in motion and cannot be reversed.
God’s love and justice, the perfect combination, confirm each other. He would rather extend His love and mercy instead of justice, but He leaves that choice to us. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Read the Bible. Get to know this God of the Bible, and you will better understand this intrinsic and powerful truth throughout Scripture: He truly is a God of love and justice to all people and nations for all time, a God of more than enough.