The challenge of growing through justice and mercy

SUMMARY: Through our faith in Jesus Christ, God has declared us righteous before Him, despite our past sins and rebellions. This is an extraordinary manifestation of God's love, but it also requires us to recognize and appreciate His justice and disciplinary recipes for making us better. Our justification is not based on our own merits or good works, but on the obedience and justice of Jesus Christ. This should move us to practice justice and mercy towards others, as a response of gratitude for the salvation we have received by grace. The kingdom of God is founded on justice, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

If we stop to think for a moment that by faith in Jesus Christ, God has declared us righteous before his eyes, it seems unlikely that God's love can be so extraordinary. How is it possible - the unbelievers wonder - that this God is able to forgive all the evil practiced and committed prior to the encounter with his Son, through faith? Is our faith in Christ really enough to be justified - that is, declared not guilty of our transgressions - despite our often criminal and sinful attitude, even trying to practice a sincere and consecrated Christianity? We have many reasons to praise God, but declaring ourselves righteous and not being condemned for our sins and rebellions deserves special praise. The revelation of this truth gives our Christian life an additional breath of hope in the one whom God held responsible for all the sins of humanity - including our own. How has man for centuries been able to ignore this extraordinary manifestation of God's love?

The fact that God has forgiven our sins in His mercy does not give us life credit to enjoy His favors, ignoring that He also manifests His love for us by applying just disciplinary recipes to make us better and thus remind us that He is Lord. and not us of ourselves.