ForLoveness | Episode 5: The Justice of a Merciful God

Hosts: Taylor and Ryan

Welcome back to ForLoveness! After building our foundation over the past four episodes—covering why we must forgive, how to set boundaries, releasing guilt, and the infinite price paid for our pardon—we now address the "single biggest obstacle to forgiveness": Justice.

What happens when the person who hurt you shows no remorse and seems to "get away with it"?.

The Burden of the Gavel

The desire for vengeance is acknowledged as a "righteous fire," a "feature of being made in the image of a just god". However, if we are not careful, that fire will consume us. Hosts Taylor and Ryan discuss how we instinctively want to assume the role of "judge, jury, executioner," replaying offenses and dwelling on how to enact vengeance. This obsession leads only to a burdensome life of bitterness, resentment, and anger.

The Command to Trust God's Vengeance

The core of this lesson is understanding who holds the gavel. Until you are absolutely certain that judgment is coming, you will never be free from the burden of trying to bring it yourself.

• In one of the most powerful and direct statements in scripture, God speaks through the Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 12: "Vengeance is mine. I will repay, says the Lord".
• This is a command, not a suggestion. God is the only one qualified for the job and will not trust justice in our hands.
• God's vengeance is permanent and far worse than anything we could ever dream of executing. We are called to replace our fear that they will "get away with it" with a deep trust in God’s promise to repay.

Justice and Mercy at the Cross

The hosts remind listeners that we are no better than the worst of sinners; we too have lied, been selfish, and wounded others. The only difference between us and the person who wronged us is grace.

The terrifying holy wrath of God against sin was poured out at the cross, where the gavel of justice fell on Jesus in our place. This makes God both just and the justifier (Romans 3:26), upholding the law while simultaneously pardoning the lawbreaker.

Final Reflection:

If you are living in a vengeful state, you are working for the enemy. You are free from this burden because God will deal with those who have wronged you with perfect, terrifying justice unless they, like you, run to the cross and plead for the same mercy you received.

A Critical Warning:

The hosts issue a specific warning that the next episode will be very heavy and is not suitable for children. Listeners who struggle with this concept of justice may need to revisit this episode after listening to the next one.

Keywords:

• God's Justice
• Vengeance is Mine
• Romans 12
• Christian Forgiveness
• Anger and Bitterness
• Relinquishing Vengeance
• The Gavel
• Merciful God
• Trusting God
• Spiritual Freedom
• Self-Condemnation
• Cross and Justice