Demonstrating God’s Righteousness Through the Cross

Painful Forbearance

(Romans 3:25-26)

Sinners may go without recompense, but God is not indifferent. Sinners may seem to receive no recompense, but God is not indifferent. God endured in pain, with the life of His Son held as the pledge. Bearing on His own shoulders the heavy burden of how He could come down to sinners without violating His justice, God waited long in anguish for the day known only to Him.

1. The Demonstration of the Cross
At the end of that long and painful waiting, there stood the cross. The cross was the event in which God demonstrated His righteousness before the whole world. What was demonstrated there was the righteousness of God—that is, the fullness of His character and person: His goodness, lovingkindness, mercy, truthfulness, sacrifice, and His complete hatred of sin. Therefore, what we ought to feel before “the righteousness of God” is not intimidation, but joy and relief. For after that long and painful waiting, this is what God desired to demonstrate.

2. Justice and Mercy
Because the sinless Son received punishment in our place, God’s justice was satisfied. At the same time, the way was opened for anyone who believes in Jesus to be justified. For justice and mercy to be fulfilled at the same time is impossible by human means. To save sinners, justice would have to be broken. To uphold justice, sinners would have to be judged. But God Himself accomplished this impossible work. This is exactly as the prophecy says: “Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.” (Psalm 85:10)

3. Repentance That Breaks Forth
God’s painful forbearance continues even after the cross. He is giving us the opportunity to repent. True repentance does not come from fear. It breaks forth when we finally come to see how deeply God suffered for us. A person who has this repentance no longer misunderstands God. Knowing the heart of God, who sacrificed Himself for sinners, that person lives a whole lifetime boasting in Him.

Overseer Sung-Hyun Kim