Mercy can satisfy justice

A. Two aspects of justice

1. Obedience to the law results in our blessings which bring us joy

2. Disobedience to the law results in punishments which bring sorrow

B. Two ways to satisfy justice

1. Never violate the law

2. If you do violate the law, pay the penalty

C. Problem: By the law no flesh is justified; all sin and break the law

D. Two effects when we sin

1. By temporal law we are cut off - justice is violated

2. By spiritual law we perish - sin makes us unclean or unworthy to return to God's presence

E. Jesus offered himself to answer the ends of the law

F. Christ initiated the law of Mercy

1. He kept the law perfectly. There was no violation. He was justified by the law. Christ was the only person ever justified by the law.

2. On the cross and in the garden, Christ suffered the penalty as though he was guilty of everything ever committed.

3. Christ acts as our defense attorney.

From presentation by Gerald Lund, CES Symposium, Aug. 1992.