Therefore, again, "by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be
justified."

Are we not, then, in an absolutely hopeless condition? We should be so
but for Christ. But, blessed be God, "He hath found a ransom." "All we
like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way,
and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Jesus Christ
"Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree." And so it comes to
pass that we can be freely justified by His grace, not because of our
innocency but because He bore the penalty in our stead. He took the
place which was rightfully ours and that is on the cross. He procured
for us the place which was and is rightfully His, and that is at God's
right hand. He suffered what we deserved, and by that very suffering He
made us partakers of what He deserves. Glory forever to His Holy Name!

By the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, therefore, justice is
satisfied, and the penalty of the broken law is removed. God is
infinitely merciful, but He is also infinitely just. He loves the
sinner with a boundless love, but He hates the sin with a boundless
hate. He is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and will not look
upon sin with the smallest degree of allowance. His mercy and His love
may compassionate the sinner, but this will be of no avail so long as
His justice is against him. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do
right?"

But in the marvelous plan of salvation by a crucified and risen Lord,
both the attributes of mercy and justice are enlisted on behalf of the
sinner. The mercy of God pardons Him, the justice of God justifies Him,
and all for Jesus' sake. "Mercy and truth have met together,
righteousness and peace have kissed each other." "God can be just and