Introduction:
Many
people in the world have at one time or another asked the
question-quotation mark how could a loving, merciful God send anyone
to hell?” God is a God of love-1 'John 4: 8 (“... God is love.
Quotation mark). He is A merciful God-“ but you oh Lord, are a God
full of compassion, gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy
and truth” Psalm 86:15. But God is also a God of holiness – (Isaiah
57: 15), as well as a God of justice – (Deuteronomy 32:4). These
Qualities are just as much a part of him as the others. Let us
remember that Jehovah is infinite in all his attributes - love and
mercy as well as holiness and justice. it is these last two
characteristics of God's nature which helps us answer the questions
– “how could a loving, merciful God Send anyone to hell?
Text: Romans 11:22
Body:
1.
The severity of God.
a.
His Holiness - this part of his divine nature takes infinite
delight and pleasure in that which is pure and holy, And hates, with a
perfect hatred, everything which is morally evil. God is completely free
of defilement and he is infinitely pure – (Habakkuk 1:13). God is holy
and he abhors sin and separates himself from it – Proverbs 15:26.
Therefore, since God dwells in heaven, no seeing is permitted there- a
place must exist for sin and those defiled with it to be forever.
(Matthew 25:41)
2.
His Justice
a.
That part of his nature by which he does all things with perfect
righteousness, giving to everyone his due. Psalm 89:14 – “righteousness
and justice are the foundation of your throne…” only an infinitely wise
all knowing God can determine with absolute certainty what is just or
unjust. God, being the creator of man, has determined man's duty and has
defined the rewards for obedience and the punishment for disobedience.
This is made known in his revealed will.
b.
Bible examples of God's justice:
i.
God and Cain (Genesis 4:10)
ii.
Abraham talking to God about the city of Sodom (Genesis 18:25)
“Right” or “Just”. God considers this a righteous thing. Read 2
Thessalonians 1: 3-9.
iii.
When man violates God's will, Jehovah considers it lawlessness (1
John 3:4)
iv.
Justice then must exact a payment.
3.
The goodness of God
a.
The love of God has provided the means of escaping from the
penalty of sin. God does not want anyone to be punished in hill for an
eternity. 2 Peter 3:9).
b.
During man's life on earth, we live in a situation in which mercy
and grace are offered to us- we can turn to God in loving obedience and
be saved from what we deserve.
c.
Repent, confess, and be baptized. Justified – “pronounced not
guilty”. Then we must continue to walk according to the spirit of God.
(Romans 8:1-2).
d.
Our fate in eternity will be determined by our response to God
during our life on earth.
|
The
church of Christ
The
Justice of God
