The Just and the Justifier

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Rom. 3:26 “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

I really like this verse that says God is both just and the justifier of the one who believes in Jesus. The thought is this: after the fall of mankind, God’s love and God’s justice were in conflict! God’s love would have forgiven the sinner but God’s justice demanded judgement. God’s justice would have judged the sinner but God’s love constrained that judgement! So what is the answer? The only way that could satisfy both love and justice was for God to come as a man and take the penalty Himself that mankind deserved. Through that act He could be just (because the penalty of sin has been met) and also the justifier (because His love could now set the sinner free). In the death of the Lord Jesus on the cross the following verse was fulfilled:

Psa. 85:10 “Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”