natalie’s blog

I was on my way home from a meeting the other night and misjudged my distance from the stop light when it turned yellow. I saw the light turn red above me as I reached the middle of the intersection. No big deal. An innocent mistake. Until I spotted a police officer in the oncoming flow of traffic. As I continued on course toward home, I glanced in the rear view mirror just as he pulled a U-turn in the intersection and headed toward me. My heart sunk into my stomach. As the red and blue lights flickered to life behind me, I slowly pulled to the side of the road. A moment later, the officer was at my door asking for my driver’s license and insurance card. I didn’t even pull my “Now-which-one-is-the-insurance-card?-ploy.” I just slowly handed him the requested documents and prayed fervently that God would cause him to have mercy upon me. I was sure God must be trying to reinforce the mercy lessons He’s lately been teaching me. But it seems God had a different agenda for the night.

It was to be, rather, a lesson in justice. I had transgressed the law and justice required that I pay the associated fine. To the tune of $126. (Argh. Why do these character lessons have to involve such large sums of money? No doubt that’s a significant part of what God is trying to teach me. I just hope I learn it quickly so that I don’t go broke building character.) With the admonition to be more careful, the officer sent me on my way, frustrated and upset that I had to pay the fine for something I didn’t even do intentionally. As I drove, I was reminded of something I became aware of recently as I’ve been reading through the Books of the Law.

And if any one of the common people sin through ignorance, while he doeth somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and be guilty; Or if his sin, which he hath sinned, come to his knowledge: then he shall bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned.

Leviticus 4:27-28

The transgressor of the law was guilty regardless of whether he was aware of his infraction or not. Ignorance was no excuse for sin. In the same way today, God’s law remains our standard for living. When we transgress it, whether willfully or ignorantly, we stand guilty before God, the Lawgiver and Judge. His justice demands payment for our transgression. To the tune of one life. “For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23

And this is where God’s justice and mercy are perfectly and beautifully woven together. God’s mercy does not cancel the debt we owe. Rather, God’s mercy has paid the debt we owe. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” I Peter 3:18

While it is God’s mercy that propels me to a deep love for, and undying gratitude toward, Him, it is His justice that brings full realization to the extent of His mercy. Truly, the highest expression of mercy cannot exist apart from justice. How amazing to contemplate the perfect union of the two in the God of this universe. I’d just rather contemplate it in the future without a traffic ticket resting on my lap.

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