The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Micah 7:18,
"Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy."
Micah's question of God, as his reflection of worship, reminds me somewhat of what God told Moses on Mt. Sinai when Moses asked God to reveal himself to him. As the Lord passed by Moses he said, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation." Exodus 34:6-7.
I have always thought Exodus 34:6-7 to be a great riddle: how does God, on the one hand, be compassionate and gracious, "slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin" but on the other hand, "does not leave the guilty unpunished"? How does both happen? And, here in Micah's prophecy we learn that destruction of Israel is coming because of their sin and rebellion against God, and yet, in the midst of the prophecy of Israel's destruction Micah says, "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?"
How is it God does both? I don't think the answer lies in the rest of that verse, that God does not stay angry forever (a wonderful observation about God). Surely, since God never changes, he is both just (resulting in the punishment of wickedness) and loving (resulting in his forgiveness of sins) at the same time. How is this riddle to be approached? How is it answered? Does God provide the answer?
Yes, he does. It is found in the cross of Jesus Christ. The cross of Jesus Christ is the answer to the great riddle and the ultimate fulfillment of both God's justice and God's love.
All sins will be paid for. God tells us over and over in the Scriptures that he is a just God and will call all, everyone, to give an account of themselves before his judgment seat, "For we will all stand before God's judgment seat... So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." Romans 14:10-12. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13b.
"Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy."
Micah's question of God, as his reflection of worship, reminds me somewhat of what God told Moses on Mt. Sinai when Moses asked God to reveal himself to him. As the Lord passed by Moses he said, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation." Exodus 34:6-7.
I have always thought Exodus 34:6-7 to be a great riddle: how does God, on the one hand, be compassionate and gracious, "slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin" but on the other hand, "does not leave the guilty unpunished"? How does both happen? And, here in Micah's prophecy we learn that destruction of Israel is coming because of their sin and rebellion against God, and yet, in the midst of the prophecy of Israel's destruction Micah says, "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?"
How is it God does both? I don't think the answer lies in the rest of that verse, that God does not stay angry forever (a wonderful observation about God). Surely, since God never changes, he is both just (resulting in the punishment of wickedness) and loving (resulting in his forgiveness of sins) at the same time. How is this riddle to be approached? How is it answered? Does God provide the answer?
Yes, he does. It is found in the cross of Jesus Christ. The cross of Jesus Christ is the answer to the great riddle and the ultimate fulfillment of both God's justice and God's love.
All sins will be paid for. God tells us over and over in the Scriptures that he is a just God and will call all, everyone, to give an account of themselves before his judgment seat, "For we will all stand before God's judgment seat... So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." Romans 14:10-12. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13b.
We are told that Jesus Christ himself paid for all the sins of all mankind for all time, "He [Jesus Christ] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:2.
If we embrace Jesus Christ in faith, his payment for our sins is credited to our account for when we appear before God's judgment throne. Jesus Christ will be standing at our side as our advocate. This enables us to be acceptable to God and become members of his own family. Here is God's love, his mercy, his forgiveness of sins. It isn't that sins won't be paid for. All sins will be paid for to satisfy our God of justice.
Either the payment of Jesus Christ for our sins will satisfy God's justice or, the payment we ourselves will have to make, (as it is described in Revelation 21:8, being cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur, the second death.) It is all up to us. God asks us to make the decision. This is the purpose of the gospel enterprise.
Will Jesus pay for your sins? Or you? It is your choice.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Will Jesus pay for your sins? Or you? It is your choice.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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