Love Versus Justice
There are a lot of paradoxes in the Bible, and one of them is the opposition between love and justice. Last week, I wrote of God's love, which is such an essential part of his character that John once wrote "God is love" (1 John 4:8b NIV). On the other hand, God is just. Both of these qualities culminate in the story of Easter, which is celebrated in just a couple of weeks.
"He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he." (Deuteronomy 32: 4 NIV)
Love and justice are inherently in opposition with each other. If, for example, someone steals something, the loving thing to do would be to forgive them and move on, while the just thing would be for them to be punished for taking something that is not theirs.
But both sides are needed.
I'm sure you have seen in the news stories of people who do not get convicted of a crime that they have been accused of, and the general uproar that follows. There is anger that justice was not carried out, and particular sympathy for the victims of the crime, because justice was not served.
On the other hand, justice needs to be tempered by love. In Les Misérables, Jean Valjean spends 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread. He spends the rest of his life facing discrimination as a consequence of this one act. It is almost universally agreed that justice, in this case, has gone too far.
Society tends to deal with this opposition between love and justice through compromise. You may get sent to prison, but you will be eligible for early release if you behave well. Punishment is lessened on a first offence. Records can get expunged in some cases.
But what would a system look like if it had perfect love and perfect justice, rather than through compromise? Perfect love is unconditional, which would mean that all wrongdoings are forgiven and forgotten, no strings attached. Perfect justice is universal and fair, which would mean that all wrongdoings receive a punishment proportionate to the act. But how could both standards be carried out at the same time? Thus the paradox.
Easter is the perfect balance between these two extremes. Christians believe that God became human and came to Earth in the form of Jesus, who allowed himself to be killed to take our place in punishment. In sacrificing himself, Jesus commits the ultimate act of love by bearing our punishment. This one act paid the price for the wrongdoings of humanity throughout all of history.
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" (Romans 8: 31-35 NIV)
"He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he." (Deuteronomy 32: 4 NIV)
Love and justice are inherently in opposition with each other. If, for example, someone steals something, the loving thing to do would be to forgive them and move on, while the just thing would be for them to be punished for taking something that is not theirs.
But both sides are needed.
I'm sure you have seen in the news stories of people who do not get convicted of a crime that they have been accused of, and the general uproar that follows. There is anger that justice was not carried out, and particular sympathy for the victims of the crime, because justice was not served.
On the other hand, justice needs to be tempered by love. In Les Misérables, Jean Valjean spends 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread. He spends the rest of his life facing discrimination as a consequence of this one act. It is almost universally agreed that justice, in this case, has gone too far.
Society tends to deal with this opposition between love and justice through compromise. You may get sent to prison, but you will be eligible for early release if you behave well. Punishment is lessened on a first offence. Records can get expunged in some cases.
But what would a system look like if it had perfect love and perfect justice, rather than through compromise? Perfect love is unconditional, which would mean that all wrongdoings are forgiven and forgotten, no strings attached. Perfect justice is universal and fair, which would mean that all wrongdoings receive a punishment proportionate to the act. But how could both standards be carried out at the same time? Thus the paradox.
Easter is the perfect balance between these two extremes. Christians believe that God became human and came to Earth in the form of Jesus, who allowed himself to be killed to take our place in punishment. In sacrificing himself, Jesus commits the ultimate act of love by bearing our punishment. This one act paid the price for the wrongdoings of humanity throughout all of history.
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" (Romans 8: 31-35 NIV)
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