The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Kyle W. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Research on "Justice" & "Mercy"*
The Perfect Father
God the Father is a just, upright and righteous king (Deuteronomy 32:4). He is full of mercy, slow to judge and abundant in loving-kindness (Exodus 34: 6-7). God has many qualities but His justice and mercy for mankind is truly incredible. He is willing to forgive and love us if only we will acknowledge Him as king. However, if we ignore Him and mock the Lord, then righteous justice will be placed upon the heads of those who are guilty (Ezekiel 18:25-32).
Justice is the administration of that which we have earned. It is given when someone deserves punishment. A court system is a classic example of how justice and mercy can be administered. But God is the ultimate father who lovingly administers justice upon us when we have wronged Him yet is slow to anger and very quick to show mercy to his children (Psalm 86:15). It is hard to balance justice and mercy, however, God has no problem with it. He is perfect and does not make mistakes. His judgments are always right (John 8:15-16) God's mercy is powerful and should not be taken for granted, but instead we are to thank Him for his loving mercy.
All who sin deserve punishment. The Lord shows no favoritism, for trouble and distress wait for all who sin (Romans 2:9-11). God does not look just at our actions but also our thoughts for if we even think about the sin, we have sinned in our hearts already (Matt 5:27-28). If we are sinning and continue to knowingly disobey the Lord, He will hide His face from us and send calamities against us and His wrath will burn (Deuteronomy 32:17-24). God is slow to anger but his wrath is great for those who do not believe in the savior (John 3:36). He punishes us as our deeds deserve and kindles a fire that consumes everything (Jeremiah 21:14) There is no hiding our sin from God (Numbers 32:23).
However, He is a merciful God and extends His mercy even to the most sinful (1 Tim. 1:15-16). All who believe in Christ and have accepted him as Lord have already been shown mercy in the greatest way for we have been given an undeserved gift, eternal life with our Savior and Father (Romans 6:23). God loves to show mercy and delights in pardoning sin by His great mercy (Micah 7:18) It is not God’s responsibility but ours to accept the mercy He shows us. Those who are stubborn and have unrepentant hearts will not accept God’s mercy because they are depraved and wicked, have no sense and are faithless and heartless (Romans 1:29-32 & 2:5). The reasons people experience suffering and difficult circumstances are many. God justly brings hardships down upon those who forsake him and worship false idols (Jeremiah 1:16). He opposes those who are proud and do not obey the gospel (1 Pet. 4:17-18).
God is slow to anger and slow to punish for several reasons. He is willing that none should perish, so he is patient with them (2 Peter 3:9). God's kindness leads towards repentance (Romans 2:4). God is just, however, He will not be mocked, a man reaps what he sows, do not be deceived (Galatians 6:7).The Lord disciplines those he loves, treating you as a son and punishing those who accept Him (Hebrews 12:6-8). Paul in Romans 5 rejoiced for the sufferings he went through for the sake of Christ because it produced perseverance in his life. For suffering for the sake of Christ is a privilege, and not a shame. God is just and His mercy is for all.
*This combined report on two research assignments is permissable under Ambassador League guidelines, but is only counted as one point. Students wishing to achieve the most number of points possible must complete a full report on each research assingment.
