There is deeply imbedded in man's religious mind the thought that he has to meet God as a judge—that he, as a sinner, has in some way or another to satisfy the claims of a righteous judge who will deal with him about his sins, and exact the very last farthing. As the dying gypsy exclaimed, when told that he was standing at the very portal of the eternal world, "What! must I gang afore the Judge wi' a' my sins upon me?"
Tremendous inquiry! If I have to meet God as a judge, it is all over with me. "Enter not into judgment with Thy servant: for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified." Psalm 143:22And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. (Psalm 143:2).
Hence, therefore, a soul looking to God as a judge, must be filled with terror, inasmuch as he cannot answer Him one of a thousand—you cannot meet God as a judge. Condemnation must be the issue of a meeting between a righteous judge and a guilty sinner.
But, thanks be to God, He wears another character now. He is a righteous justifier. Yes, a justifier of such as cannot meet Him as a judge. God must be righteous in whatever sphere He displays. Himself. Whether as a judge or a justifier, He must be just.
But, in this day of grace, during the acceptable year of the Lord, the day of salvation, He is revealing Himself as "a just God and a Savior"—a righteous Savior-God. What a character! What a stupendous triumph of redeeming lave! What an answer to Satan! What a balm for the convicted conscience and stricken heart! A Savior-God! It is the very title that suits a lost sinner. It brings God near to me in the very condition and character in which I find myself.
If it be asked, as surely it must by every exercised conscience, on what ground does this grand reality hold good? the answer is as clear and satisfactory as the most anxious soul can possibly desire. It is this: God, as a judge, dealt with my sins at the cross, in order that God, as a justifier, might deal with me at heaven's side of the empty tomb of Jesus. The death of Christ, therefore, forms the ground on which God can righteously justify the ungodly. A righteous judge condemned sin on the cross, that a righteous justifier might pardon and justify the guilty. What a profound mystery! Well may angels desire to look into it; and well may sinners, whom it so blessedly concerns, bless and praise Him who has counseled, revealed, and wrought it all for them through the accomplished atonement of Christ.
People either know God as a justifier, or they must meet Him as a judge. No one can ever enjoy true peace until he knows and believes that God as a judge has nothing against him as a sinner; nay, more,
that He Himself is his justifier—that, in fact, in the death and resurrection of Christ, He has revealed Him as a just God and a Savior to an ungodly sinner. This is the solid and unassailable ground of peace.