But where’s the justice in that? - 9th May 2007

“But he killed so many people, wrecked so many lives – he doesn’t deserve forgiveness! Where’s the justice in that?”

We can think of someone like Hitler or Stalin and ask the question ‘would God really allow them into heaven?’ Their actions caused so much damage, how could they be forgiven?

But dark ambitions can affect the most innocent of situations. Imagine this scenario:
Ever since he was a boy, little Freddie wanted to wipe out Aids and stop all that suffering. He was bright, and passed his exams. He got a job with a medical company and was fulfilling his dream of working on a cure for Aids. This new drug looked really promising, but Freddie’s ambition saw him be selective about initial results and ignore possible danger signs.

This short cut enabled the drug to reach the stage of carrying out a large scale test. Only then did an horrific side effect of the drug emerge which led to the death of those on whom it was tested. Freddie was distraught! His actions had caused so much damage, how could they be forgiven?

It has been said that the human heart is the heart of the human problem. Despite their different motivations (Hitler in his heart wanted to destroy the Jews, Freddie save those with AIDS), they both fell short of God’s standard.

So would God forgive Stalin if he repented?

Yes. And yet somehow there might be more room for Freddie to genuinely repent than someone like Stalin because their perspective on the destruction they had caused would be so different. Stalin’s heart was hardened, Freddie’s perhaps more open to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit.

Would it be more just for God to forgive Freddie than Stalin?

No, they both stand before God but on different charges. In terms of justice – the Bible says we are all found guilty…

If we side with Satan in demanding justice upon anyone who has come to Jesus then God’s answer is the Cross. “I paid the price. I took Freddie’s punishment. Now he is Mine – be gone Satan, you have no claim on him.”

God bless