The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Natalie W. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Research on "Justice" & "Mercy"*
The Unsearchable God
Justice and mercy do not always go hand in hand. It is hard to be merciful when having to also be just. It is impossible for humans to balance those two things. It is not for God! He is slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to the thousands (Psalm 86:15), but He will also punish us as our deeds deserve (Jeremiah 21:14). It says in Numbers 32:23 that our sin will find us out. In Romans 11:33 Paul tells us that God’s judgements are unsearchable. Our God is a perfect god. He does not make mistakes. His decisions are right (John 8:16).
Our God is a merciful God, and He delights to show mercy (Micah 7:18). Every person needs the mercy that only God can give. Without it we fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Why do many people reject God’s gift of mercy? We are sinful and because of that sin our hearts are stubborn and unrepentant (Romans 2:5). Humans do not like to admit that they are wrong, and that they need someone to save them. We like to pretend that we are perfect, and can do nothing wrong. On the other hand, some people do not accept God’s mercy because they think the sins they have committed are too terrible for anyone to forgive. This might be true from a human perspective, but in 1 Tim.1:15-16 Paul says that Jesus came to save the worst of sinners. There is no sin that is too big for God’s mercy.
God is also just. Humans want God to bring down justice on others but not on themselves. We also want His justice to come about when we want it to, instead of trusting His perfect timing. People question God, asking why do you allow the wicked to prosper (Psalm 73-3-5)? The wicked will not go unpunished, because God is just. In Job 20:5 it says "The mirth of the wicked is brief; the joy of the godless lasts but a moment." Why does God wait to punish the wicked? In 2 Peter 3:9 Paul says that "God is patient with you, not wanting any to perish." God's kindness leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). God wants everyone to come to know Him. Mercy delays justice.
There are many reasons why people experience pain and suffering. It is not the trial that is important, but what you learn from it, and how it affects you later on. Romans 5:3 says that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character; hope. When we go through trials we have two options on how we will allow it to affect us. It will either strengthen our relationship with God or tear it apart. It is each person’s decision to decide which path they choose. We have been granted on behalf of Christ to suffer for Christ. The apostles in Acts 5:41 "Rejoiced because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for His Name." Christians are called to be joyful in the trials they go through, because it is honoring to God. God has delivered us from hell and He will deliver us in our time of trouble. 2 Cor.1:10 says, "We have set our hope on Him that He will continue to deliver us, therefore we do not lose heart" (2 Cor. 4:16).
The day of God’s amazing mercy was when Christ died on the cross. God's mercy has already been poured out on us and is still being poured on us. Now Christians are waiting for the Day of the Lord: the day of God’s justice. This day is in accordance with His perfect timing. When that day comes, God says that He will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Rev. 7:17). Justice and mercy are powerful attributes of our great and marvelous Master. His judgments are true and just (Rev 16), and His mercy is everlasting (Psalm 100:5).
*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.
