The Judge Who Was a Father - Reconciling the Love and Justice of God

Many people have trouble understanding how God can be so loving and yet so seemingly harsh. Christians too sometimes have these questions and certain passages of the Bible can seem confusing, even contradictory when speaking about the character of God.

In regards to this, I was always taught a certain Biblical principle that shed much light on the topic for me and really clarified things. It is the principle of the Judge and the Father, and the difference between the two.

It is clear from Scripture that mankind, although created innocent, soon chose to rebel against their Creator. They chose the “knowledge of good and evil” over their innocence and their trust and obedience to God. The problem with the knowledge of good and evil is that they did not find in themselves the capacity to do only good or the ability to always resist evil.

So their relationship with their Creator was severed ,  this nature of sin was born in them and they passed down this nature throughout their descendants like spiritual DNA.  To this day, the Bible teaches, each human is born with a sin nature and also (as is quite observable) chooses to sin, to rebel and to do evil (however small it may seem to us)  and we are incapable of restoring that former relationship with God on our own. 

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

So God made a way to restore it Himself. And just like when man chose to rebel, we must now choose to believe and accept this gift of restoration.

Behold the perfect justice and perfect love of God.

How then does God reconcile His perfect justice and His perfect love? By offering Himself as a sacrifice to bear the punishment, a ransom to pay the debt.  This is what we know as the Gospel – Jesus’ birth, His life, His redeeming death and resurrection.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”  John 3:16-17

Now perhaps we see more clearly the principle of the Judge and the Father. If we have not accepted (or even believed in the need of ) His offer of redemption and restoration then our relationship with Him is still severed, and though we are still made in His image, we are stained and tainted with sin. And , true to His perfect justice, He must judge that sin.

However, if we do believe and accept His offer, this “pardon”, then we are redeemed and justified. Innocent again – though not in deed (the redeemed, of course,  still have the capability of sinning), but in the eyes of God and by His blood-bought forgiveness. The Bible refers to this as being “born again” (John 3:7) into the family of God. The relationship has been restored, He is once again our Father.

“But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13

Prodigal, a wooden vase created by artist Charles Smalligan 

Again, how can God be both just and loving?  A judge and a father ? The same way any human can hold the office of a judge in the courtroom and also be a parent to their own children at home.

In the courtroom the human judge hands out punishment – for the worst sins it may be  life in prison or even the death penalty.

But when that same person goes home to find out that their child has misbehaved he doesn't throw them in prison. He will, however,  discipline the child. He does so in love and for the betterment of the youth and the youth in turn will flourish under proper discipline ( although they may not like it at the time).

In the courtroom there is no personal relationship between the judge and the criminal but in the home the same judge’s relationship with the “criminal” is no less than father and child. And, although this family relationship can be soured, it can never be changed or taken away. The child is his flesh and blood and its that simple.

In the courtroom scenario there is a once and for all “pardon” given by God (the Judge) to the guilty who will receive it. In the home scenario there is ongoing discipline and forgiveness from God ( the Parent ) and  confession of “relapses” (“I’m sorry daddy”)  and growing by the child.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:9-10

So Christians, when you come upon a difficult verse, remember to look at the context and see if it is speaking of God as a Judge or as a Father.

And to all  -remember the principle of the Judge and the Father and the choice you have to make.

We all need a father.

Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Abraham, Genesis 18:25b

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” Jesus,  John 15:9

"And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” Parable of the Prodigal Son,  Luke 15:20

Excavating the Bible - My Favourite Bible Study Tools

The Bible should often be read on its own with only prayer and a heart seeking the truth. 

However, it is also true that Bible study is kind of like archaeology - You must have the proper tools to keep finding the truth and the treasure. 

Here are some of my favourite “tools”.

Family Card

Falling Plates - Short Film

not much else to say....

Significance of the number Twelve (12) in the Bible

Since today is 12/12/12,  I thought I would take a quick look at the significance of this number in the Bible. I don't take numerology too far but it is quite obvious that the Bible does attach some symbolism to certain numbers. 

Holman (Bible Dictionary) says " After seven, the most significant number for the Bible is undoubtedly twelve."

And what does the number 12 symbolize? 

As one source puts it ( Biblestudy.org) : "It represents divine authority and appointment, as well as governmental foundation and perfection.."    (This is congruent with most other Bible scholar definitions)

Examples in the Bible include:

> Jacob (later named Israel) had 12 sons. Each of these sons became the "12 tribes of Israel" - a huge theme in both the Old and New Testaments.

> Jesus hand picked 12 disciples who later became the 12 Apostles.

(*** Holman points ut that in both cases there was a point made to keep the number at 12. When Levi was called out to be a priestly line, Joseph's sons each received a portion and became their own tribe. Also, when Judas betrayed Christ and killed himself, Paul was later added by God as the 12th Apostle.)

> Another interesting note is that Jesus began teaching with authority in the synagogues at the age of 12 

> One last multiple example is in Revelation (chapter 21) and the description of the New Jerusalem : 

The New Jerusalem has 12 gates of pearls, 

12 angels at the gates 

The names of the 12 tribes of Israel over the gates. 

The wall of the city has 12 foundations of precious stones

In them are the names of the 12 apostles. 

The wall is 144 cubits high (12 x 12).

	The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory  of God illuminated it. The Lamb [is] its light.
	Rev 21:24	And the nations of those who are saved  shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.
	Rev 21:25	Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).
	Rev 21:26	And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.
	Rev 21:27	But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes  an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.