Is this the Jesus who drives “robbers” out of His temple? Does He speak for the same God as the Psalms and Prophets? They called down curses on enemies. Does God change somewhere between the old Scriptures and the cross? Anyone who thinks so has not paid enough attention to Scripture. Jesus warns as severely as any prophet (Matthew 7-25; Revelation 1-4). Likewise, the old Scriptures speak often of God’s love:
- God walked in the garden with innocent Adam and Eve. But He also “walked” with Enoch and others who had sin (Genesis 3,5,6,17).
- God treated Abraham as “friend,” and promised,
“in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 22:18; Isaiah 41:8). - To Moses God revealed Himself, first and foremost, as
“The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (Exodus 34:6-7). - David relied on that same grace.
“Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old” (Psalm 25:6). - God judged and condemned many sinners, yet made His feelings clear.
“‘For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live’” (Ezekiel 18:32). - Prophets blasted the nation of Israel (Ephraim), but always stressed God’s loving motive.
“‘Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 31:20). - As Jonah (4:2) complained, God is “abounding in steadfast love” for non-Jews also.
Jews like Nicodemus know their Bible. Some passages describe an angry Avenger who destroys rebels. Other passages portray a patient Father, full of tender mercy. All of these Scriptures tell the truth:
God is Judge. His very nature demands complete justice. He cannot lie to Himself about our sin and its fatal result. The Holy must separate from the unholy. The Just must condemn the unjust. Therefore the truth cannot change:
“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
Yet “God is Love” (1 John 4:8). His very nature longs to rescue us – to forgive every person of every sin.
… God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
How can God be “just” and “the One who justifies”? These two are not opposite ‘sides,’ as if God fights against Himself. Justice and mercy flow together from who GOD is – the Person of PERFECTION in all that is right and good. Yet, to us, God seems to face an impossible problem. How can He condemn sin and yet save the sinner? How can He stay pure while bringing impure people back to Himself?