A young girl was given a ticket for driving at an excessively high rate of speed.  As a result, her fine was quite significant and more than she could pay.  She appeared in court

admitting her guilt but unable to pay the price of her mistake.  As a result, she hopelessly found herself at the mercy of the court and expected punishment.

     However, the judge before whom she appeared happened to be her own father.  He knew she was guilty and recognized his responsibility of upholding the laws and enforcing proper punishment for the violation of them.  Justice demanded that she be properly punished but his deep love for his daughter left him in quite a dilemma.  He couldn’t bear the thought of pronouncing a sentence of punishment for her, but he could not violate the law’s requirement for justice.

     Realizing that justice had to be served, the judge paused a moment, stood up and left

his seat.  He walked down to the daughter and stood beside her.  He then faced the bench and said, “I would like the court to know that this is my daughter.  She has admitted her guilt but is unable to pay the fine.  Therefore, I am paying the fine for her.”  He left the

appropriate amount of cash on the table and then proceeded back to his seat.  The judge saw that justice was served (the price of the fine was paid) while showing loving mercy to

his daughter.

     This is what God has done for us.  Since God is completely pure, righteous and holy, sin is a violation of His nature and will for mankind.  God’s justice demands punishment.  Therefore, since we have all sinned, we all deserve punishment.  Since mankind could not and cannot pay the price for sin, God combined justice and mercy by sending Jesus to pay the price for us.  Therefore, justice is served (the price is paid); yet, mercy is offered.

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we

might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor 5:21).

“For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the

LORD endureth for ever.  Praise ye the Lord.” (Psalm 117:2)

God's Merciful Justice

Humanity stands in the court of all time;

Each of us guilty of sin’s awful crime.

For, we have all sinned and fallen short

And stand in need of mercy in God’s court.

But the Father of humanity exercised Divine love;

And therefore sent Jesus from his home up above

To pay the price that we could not pay.

In our place, he hung on the cross that day.

Yes, the message is true - the Gospel is for all.

Poor sinner, obey His will and answer His call.

Justice is then served, the price fully paid;

Mercy has been given, our punishment waived.

Jesus is our Judge and by our side He stands,

“Your case is closed, come into the Promised Land.”

                                                                        --RC

GRACE - God’s Righteousness At Christ’s Expense