God's Justice

[Jepne]

Homer, you said, ''Thinking about this, if all God's punishments are corrective, not a bit more, and God takes no vengeance it would seem there is no justice, and that God is not a God of justice.''

If God corrects someone, and they repent and change their ways, should God wreak vengeance on them in addition to that? And, if you think so, what purpose would it serve?

[Homer]

Hi Jepne,

You wrote:

Homer, you said, ''Thinking about this, if all God's punishments are corrective, not a bit more, and God takes no vengeance it would seem there is no justice, and that God is not a God of justice.''

If God corrects someone, and they repent and change their ways, should God wreak vengeance on them in addition to that? And, if you think so, what purpose would it serve?

It is my understanding that Ted Bundy repented and became a Christian some time before his execution. If the governor heard of Bundy's contrition and repentance, and concluded Bundy was "corrected", and thus pardoned him, would you say justice had been done?

But God can say "my Son bore Bundy's sin on the cross" and pardon Bundy. Across the river of death, apart from Christ, all our sins lie un-atoned.

[Paidion]

Have you ever broken the speed limit, Homer? If so, did you report it to the police so that you could be fined? If not, was justice done? If you die without having reported it, will God punish you in the next life so that justice is done?

[Jepne]

It is my understanding that Ted Bundy repented and became a Christian some time before his execution. If the governor heard of Bundy's contrition and repentance, and concluded Bundy was "corrected", and thus pardoned him, would you say justice had been done?

Do you choose an extreme case such as Bundy in order to suggest there is a certain degree of wrongness for which one cannot be pardoned?

If a man who has murdered thirty women finds repentance and salvation, and shows himself to be a follower of Christ in every respect, no doubt God pardons him, so what man can rightfully continue to hold his sins against him?

Let him out on the street right away? Definitely not, because, coming to the Lord doesn't make one perfect all of a sudden. I should think that there would still be a web of lies that would need to be undone in that poor man's mind, and there is also restitution to be made to the people he hurt. It would take a wise judge to know how to handle the man, and I am not that judge. It is not just the crime, but the whole makeup of the person who committed it, to say nothing of his family, that needs to be dealt with.

In his interview with Dr. Dobson, Ted Bundy, with insight, said strong words and warned about looking at pornography. He could have helped many people had he lived and remained a repentant follower of Jesus Christ. Those who have found the way out of the mire are often the best at keeping others from entering in. The memory of the pain they endured spurs them on to help others with great energy and love.

I do not know what you mean by saying this: ''But God can say "my Son bore Bundy's sin on the cross" and pardon Bundy. Across the river of death, apart from Christ, all our sins lie un-atoned.''

Since Jesus Christ is Life, for sure there is life in the resurrection. Perhaps we will all look upon Him, whom we have pierced many times, even as His followers. Like He said, many will think we were strong Christians and He will say “Depart from Me, I never knew you.”