And he passed in front of
Moses, proclaiming, “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
Grace
is giving us what we don’t deserve.
Justice is giving us what we deserve.
So how can God be both gracious and just?
Grace
gives people an option to deal with the justice. If that grace is denied, then justice will be
carried out.
Jesus’
death on the cross was a case of grace and justice. Our sins were paid for by Jesus (justice) and
he did that for us out of love (grace).
Justice was never compromised through the grace shown on the cross.