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God is infinite, eternal and unchangeable in his justice. We like things to be level and straight and upright. We find it difficult to cope in an environment where nothing is straight or level.
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We like things to be level and straight and upright. We find it difficult to cope in an environment where nothing is straight or level.
The ‘Crooked House’ pub had a serious problem as a result of mining subsidence. One side of the house sank 4ft lower than the other!
There are reports of people feeling ill as a result of the disorientation caused by the bizarre nature of the walls and windows in this building.
Church of St Mary and All Saints, Chesterfield The spire was added to the church in 1362 It is both twisted and leaning! It twists about 45 degrees and leans about 10ft!
Despite our natural desire for things to be straight and level the Bible tells us that we have made our lives crooked: …there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths (Isaiah 59:8)
We measure ourselves against other crooked people and think we are OK, like the man in the song who lived in a crooked world: There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile. He found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile. He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse, And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
Justice Justice is perfectly fair and straight. The statue of Lady Justice on the roof of the Old Bailey depicts Justice as blindfolded (it should not make any difference who is being examined), holding a set of balances (fairly weighing the truth), and a sword (bringing punishment where it is deserved.
God loves perfect justice The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. Proverbs 20:23 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He. Deuteronomy 32:3-5
How can a God of perfect justice pardon the guilty? • TheBible tells us that God is perfectly just. • TheBible also tells us that he forgives the guilty! • But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. • Psalm 130:3-5 • The only solution to this problem is found in Jesus Christ…
A God who is just but also a Saviour! Jesus becomes a substitute for the guilty people who put their trust in him. On the cross he took the punishment that they deserved. God, because he is perfectly just, must then pardon their sins.
Augustus Toplady’s Hymn Payment God cannot twice demand— First at my bleeding Surety’s hand, And then again at mine. (A surety is someone who stands for you in your place.)