Electricity filled the air as the court waited on the jury. A long murder trial had resulted in a guilty verdict. Now the jury decided the young man’s sentence. The options were simple; “Life without parole” or death. The defendant’s life hung in the balance. As the jurors filed in, some were weeping. The mood grew heavy and dark. 

As the judge read the sentence, silence fell over the crowd. He slowly announced the young man’s fate. The sentence was death. Gasps resounded throughout the room. We immediately handcuffed the defendant and led him from the courtroom. He will never see freedom again.

Justice was served that day, but no one cheered. There was no joy or levity, only somber reverence. This didn’t feel like a win, only another stage in a series of tragic events. There is no pleasure when a person, even a bad one, receives the justice they deserve. Lives are lost or ruined on both sides of the crime. Evil costs so many so much. 

God’s justice is also a fearful thing. I shudder to imagine a guilty verdict in the courtroom of Heaven. Yet, I know that is what I deserve. The value of grace becomes clearer when I understand God’s justice. The Bible says “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31) Thankfully, by God’s grace, I have been spared.

Through the grace of God, we never need to experience the judgment of God. It has already been fully executed on the only One who didn’t deserve it. Jesus received judgment so that we can receive pardon. That should not be taken lightly. 

Even today, His nail-scarred hand extends a complete pardon to all who will accept it. This undeserved mercy, lovingly offered without cost or partiality, requires simply “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21) If I must choose between grace and judgment, grace wins every time. 

“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3)