Justice and Mercy are eternal virtues and laws, each of which has claim in life. Otherwise, chaos abounds. However, separately, each would rob the other. Our behavior has its consequences, none is exempted, and that is regulated by Justice.
Grace is the vital link between the best we can do and the minimum required by our Heavenly Father. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Once an accountable individual has sinned in this life, no matter to what degree, he is required by God to repent. Though we do all we can do to make amends, and though we are forgiven by those we have injured or offended, and though we do all the repentance in the world possible, still we cannot undo what was done in the first place. We cannot go back in time and make the sin never happen.
Because Christ lived a completely sinless life, and yet suffered and died at the hands of evil, Justice was required to restore Him. Yet Justice cannot go back in time and make His suffering and death never happen. Consequently, Justice could not fulfill its role and provide Christ restitution. What could Justice give Christ to make things right?
Now Christ was at an advantage – He could demand restitution from Justice upon the principles of Mercy, a virtue equal to Justice. But, where to apply mercy? Too late for Christ - He already descended below all things. The restitution demanded by Christ of Justice then was to obtain Justice tempered with Mercy – all of His disciples would be forgiven of their sins, on the condition they do the best they could. Justice agreed to the plan.
This is Christ’s Grace – Justice and Mercy both get their due, per a rational demand by Christ to pardon the fully repentant. Thus, Christ provides the link, His Grace, between the works that can be done by us and the more perfect state of being that God requires of us. Therefore, we are saved by grace AFTER all we can do to work out our own salvation.
References:
Matt. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
2 Nephi 25:23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.
Alma 42: 23 But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice. 24 For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved. 25 What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God.
D&C 88: 5 … Jesus Christ his Son— 6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;
Revelations And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Further reading:
No comments:
Post a Comment