Love and Justice by Peyton H. Hodge

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 22, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 16.

Love and Justice.

By Peyton H. Hodge

THAT God should seek to provide salvation for men is, of course, the proof of his love—that he should save them by the cross is a proof of his justice. That when justice made this necessary he did not give up man to ruin, enhances amazingly the proof of his love. But, still, it was his justice that required the sacrifice. But men shrink back appalled at an attribute that requires such a remedy. An attribute that can only be appeased by blood is too harsh, they say, to describe him whom we are taught to call Father. But now suppose we call it truth: is not a new face put upon the question? Can any one demand that God should violate his truth in the salvation of men? If the martyr's crown is the brightest guerdon man can win, because he bears witness to the truth even unto death, does not the glory of God appear more glorious when we find that God, rather than swerve one hair's breadth from his eternal truth, even to save a world, lets the fires of his wrath smite and curse the Son of the Beloved, his only begotten Son? And this is the Scripture conception; for justice is but one aspect of righteousness, and righteousness is but rectitude, conformity to rule or standard. Hence, righteousness is but one aspect of truth, and truth is violated whether one errs by deficiency or excess; truth demands perfect conformity to standard; the balance that weighs too little is as untrue as the balance that weighs too much, and the balance is the symbol of justice. A deviation from justice is a violation of truth. The eternal truth of God's nature required the sacrifice of Christ, and to this end was he born, and for this cause came he into the world, that he might bear witness of the truth.—Rev. Peyton H. Hodge.