It is not right – at least it seems so
Scripture reading: Matthew 25:31-46. Text: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10.
One of the questions that presents a real problem for many is how can a loving God condemn someone he created to eternal damnation, or in our daily language, how can the Almighty permit a soul he created to suffer in hell? At first we may find this question contradictory. Can God’s love and his righteousness be in harmony? We may think a loving God cannot tolerate someone suffering for ever, and yet a just God must reward the good and punish the bad. We admit the explanation is not simple and we ask for your patience and understanding in the hope you will have a clearer view of God’s love and righteousness.
WE, LOGICALLY THINKING HUMANS, ARE NOT SO MUCH FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST — RATHER WE ARE AGAINST WHAT IS INCORRECT AND UNJUST.
Once a pastor said we are not proceeding toward justice, rather we are escaping from corruption and crookedness. Is there anyone among us who has never suffered from mistreatment, dishonesty or illegal and immoral actions? Obviously it is impossible for everybody to be treated in a right and just way all the time. Truth and righteousness cannot be observed or carried out 100 percent of the time. There must be a certain amount of tolerance, understanding and sacrifice to come to terms with the fact that life is not fair. From the time of our birth we have to put up with the hard reality that we were born unequal. Many have to battle this inequity all of their lives.
Our heavenly Father is the Almighty God and he possesses — among others — these two attributes: to love and to be just. We have ample biblical quotations proving both. For instance, in support of his being a loving deity we read: “… God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16 and “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” Ezekiel 18:23. And here we read that God favors justice: “The King is mighty, he loves justice …” Psalm 99:4/a, and “For the LORD is our judge … Isaiah 33:22/a. Please also study our Scripture reading, text and Matthew 20:1-16, the parable of the workers in the vineyard.
God also knew there would be some questions from some people, who call themselves thinkers, about his ability to practice justice and loving kindness simultaneously. Therefore, he found a compromise in such a way that sin will be punished and at the same time love will be generously offered. This is best proven by these biblical quotations: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17, and “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'” Galatians 3:13.
As our earthly judicatory system leaves the final decisions to the professionals (judges and the jurors), likewise we should leave our final judgment to God being absolutely sure that he knows us the best. For me (as a believer and individual) the major issue is will I be saved or condemned? I should do all I can to be confident that I am a saved child of God. Read John 5:24. Enough information has been provided in this respect. It is not my duty or privilege to judge others.
How should we approach the whole problem of justice and love? With a triple view! When a serious controversial issue emerges where justice is in question and we are also affected, we should be brave and wise enough to see the whole problem from three viewpoints: 1. What is my/our opinion? How do I/we feel about it? 2. What are the opposite party’s arguments and proofs? 3. Let us try to rise above partiality, be objective as possible and come to a conclusion based on pure principles.
When we know that even human justice is often evasive, complicated and questionable then we should think of the divine justice as it was carried out with great sacrifice to be in harmony with God’s love. See John 3:16 quoted above. Now we understand why Christ said this about himself, “… I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6/a.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.