When “justice” is an abomination…

The value in using another Christian’s devotional book is in becoming aware of truths that I may not have noticed. Piper does that today. He first quotes:

He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord. (Proverbs 17:15)

Then Piper points to Romans 4:5 that says God “justifies the ungodly” and Isaiah 53:5 that says God condemns the righteous, namely, his Son Jesus who was “wounded for our transgressions.” In other words, he who justifies the wicked is an abomination, and he who condemns the righteous is an abomination, but God justifies the ungodly and God put Jesus to death for sins that were not his. Why is this not an abomination?

Piper uses examples of court cases that show how the human way of acquitting the wicked dishonors the law because when this happens, there is no compensation. The law is demeaned, society is degraded, victims are hurt, and recompense is ignored. This treats the law and the person who was assaulted as though they were unworthy of vindication, not too far from the same way the criminal treated them. So it is an abomination.

This kind of acquittal frees a person who will likely commit the same crime again. There is no  guarantee of reform. This too is an abomination.

Condemning the righteous is the same in reverse. The example is a mother who takes the place of her hardened criminal son so she is executed and he goes free. This would not exalt the worth of the law, but exalts the worth of the son at the law’s expense. It would also release a dangerous criminal on society and the mother’s apparent goodness would be lost.

So what about God putting Christ in our place on the cross? This is very different. Christ’s willingness to die in my place is not a desecration but exalts the worth of God's glory and His law: “For this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify thy name” (John 12:27–28). 
God demonstrates His righteousness in justifying the ungodly.

. . . .  This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:25–26)

The loss of honor that came to the law and to the name of God through our sin was, in fact, restored through the death of Jesus. He paid the penalty for us. Not only that, the justification of the ungodly does not unleash any criminals onto the world. Instead, faith in Him changes lives.

(Christ) gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:14)

As Piper says, Christ did not take from society the influence of a good man. Instead He put the Spirit of Christ in all whom He justified. He not only rose from the dead to continue his powerful, positive influence in the world, but gave new life to all that have been set free, a new life that is His life -- lived out in millions of sinners set free to serve Him.

PRAY: Lord God, Your ways are entirely different from ours. You justify sinners, yet that is not at all an abomination. It is the greatest gift ever offered. Love and justice met at the cross and Your goodness reveals how far short we fall. Even in trying to demonstrate love and justice we cannot give Your life to criminals or make society better by releasing them. Forgive our sin of being ‘nice’ to the guilty and so often trampling the innocent in the process. Open eyes so that all who sin will realize how our sin is so degrading to the goodness of You, and how much You can change people by the way You justify those who sin by sending Jesus to die in our place.

Why do we get sick?

 

This day, as every day, the news starts out with Covid statistics. Most of us are tired of hearing about new cases, daily deaths, and how many people are hospitalized. Besides that, today’s newspaper had horrific pictures of a train crash where people were injured or killed. The stats are not good concerning suicides, overdoses, and multiple shootings and show that cancer is as deadly as Covid, perhaps more.

I would like to see some statistics on healing. How many recovered from illness today? How many walked out of the hospital or other care facilities in good health? How many are doing well and enjoying life and safety?

That said, some illness we bring on ourselves. If I mock my body with bad habits in food choices, no exercise, and the tension of continual worry, it will retaliate with lousy health, even death.

Habits with consequences is not a new phenomenon. In the OT, Exodus 15:26 God says, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your HEALER.”

While not all illness is caused by a deliberate mocking of God, books have been written on how a life of faith that includes peace, assurance and obedience to good habits has a definite effect on our well-being. At the same time, sickness is common even though the Bible tells of the HEALING power of God? He created us and certainly knows how every part works and what is going on when something does not work. Body wellness is just part of what He can heal. Many of His promises include restoring a good life, relationships, and most important the healing of sin and its power to destroy. This Easter, the message is preached all over the world of what Jesus Christ did two thousand plus years ago:

Isaiah 53:5. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

While some insist this verse is about physical healing, the first part of the verse focuses on sin and that awful loss of peace with God. This ‘peace’ relates to the Hebrew meaning of “Shalom” which is far more than a greeting. It means total well-being, safety, prosperity, intactness, wholeness with a focus on security. It includes a good life with feelings of satisfaction, well-being, and contentment. In other words, peace with God brings  completeness, including health, prosperity, safety and well-being.

As for physical wellness, Jesus did miraculous healings often after teaching about the kingdom of God. These healings demonstrated God’s desire for His kingdom as well as displaying Jesus’ identity as Messiah. He proved God’s authority over illnesses and demonic forces that bound and incapacitated people.

This power does not exclude illness completely because faithful followers of Jesus Christ can get sick. The Bible shows several reasons including “chastening for sin” or “God glorified in the results” (either joy in suffering or a miraculous healing) or “this is the way He takes His servant home.” Illness is not always the biggest enemy nor is it an indication that God is neglecting His people.

Generally, HEALING in the NT is about being saved from sin yet sin so often results in physical issues. Even in the OT, David described what was going on in his body because of sin:

Psalm 38:3–10. There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness, I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. For my sides are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart. O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.

GAZE AT HIS GLORY. Requests for prayer often concern bodily sickness rather than going deeper for any possible causes. James 5:14–16 says: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”

As I get older, I could blame some aches and pains on body parts wearing out, but I don’t want to miss this important command to include sin as a possible reason for anything I suffer.