The religious world teaches many false concepts regarding man's relation to God. There is much confusion over God's system of justice. Following are some of the prevalent ones:
Man is to be punished in this life for his sins.
While it is true that man may suffer the consequences of his sins, the real punishment for these sins will take place only after the judgment. (Luke 13:1-5; John 9:1-3)The guilt of Adam's sin is passed on to all men.
This idea itself is incredible and illogical. It is an affront on God's system of justice because it necessitates, for one, that babies are born into this world guilty of sin (Matthew 19:14; Romans 5:12). While Adam brought about the fact that death is passed on to all men, sin is not.God's justice is exclusive - only certain ones are selected.
The conclusion we are forced to draw from this idea is that God is a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11)Salvation is unconditional.
This says that man has nothing to do with his own salvation, and that man cannot do anything to change his condition (Hebrews 5:9).God's justice involves only his commendation of love.
In it's completeness, God's justice includes His punishment for the violation of His laws as well as his love for us (Romans 11:22; Hebrews 10:31)Justice will be based on a "balancing out" of the good and the bad in man's life.
Many people think of God's justice as we think of a set of scales - a device for comparing the weights of two different objects. Though the works of man will indeed follow him into judgment, salvation or damnation will not be determined by a scale comparing the two (John 12:48).God's justice is not a subject that has been hidden from man. It is spelled out for us in His word. It is a wonderful thing that God's justice is revealed to us. God will justify people through his great love and mercy for us, but only through man's obedience to Him. This simply is man's obedience to the gospel of Christ.
Luke 13:1-5
1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.John 9:1-3
1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
