Justice

Has there ever been a Bible verse that you've read over and over before and know by heart, but read it again and it takes on a new meaning?  Well that's what just happened with me.  God answered Jenn's prayer quickly about me not working tonight, so I took the time to catch up on my Bible in a year.  Here's the verse I came across:

If we confess our sings he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 [emphasis added]

I've seen this verse so much over the course of my life.  Sometimes I have a hard time understanding why God would forgive me of a sin I've committed multiple times.  For instance, I get irritated at work.  It has happened more than once, believe it or not.  Will God really forgive me of every time I've been irritated and sinned?

According to 1 John 1:9, God is not only faithful but he is JUST.  Here are a couple of definitions of something/someone that is just (adjective):

• Guided by truth, reason, justice and fairness
• Legally valid; lawful
• Given or awarded rightly; deserved, as a sentence punishment, or reward 

God is REQUIRED to forgive me my sins and purify me from all unrighteousness because Jesus paid my penalty once and for all.  God would not be just if he punished Jesus AND me for my sins.  Think about it like this.  You're in a courtroom, and you know you are guilty of your crime.  However, Jesus says he will serve your sentence in your place so you didn't have to.  He gives you his clothes of freedom and takes on your shackles.  Someone is serving your sentence; therefore, you cannot be charged with punishment.  It's not just.

I haven't read the books, but I know enough that this makes sense to me (and yes I plan to read the series once life slows down some).  For all of you Hunger Games fans, think about Katniss offering herself as tribute for Primrose. She took Prim's place in the games so that Prim she wouldn't have to face that punishment.  Katniss serves the punishment of fighting in the games.

It's the same with Jesus.  He eternally took my place so that I wouldn't have to face God's punishment.  I never have to serve my sentence.  God sees Jesus when he sees me because Jesus' blood covers my sins.  Since God is just, he has to forgive me not matter what.  He has no choice. 

I'm thankful that God is true to his word, and that his character doesn't change.  I'm thankful that Jesus paid my penalty so I could be in relationship with God.  I'm thankful that the Word is living and teaches me something new no matter how many times I've read or heard the verse.