Why our Just God Forgives Sinners

by Michael Shackleton · February 9, 2016

In this Year of Mercy we are asked to show mercy to others. I cannot understand how God can be said to show mercy to us when we know that he is a just God and will punish sinners for their offences against his holy will. F Joshua

Theologians often describe God�s mercy as incalculable. Who could possibly know the divine criteria at the heart of God�s merciful judgments?

The love and mercy of God are evident in the person of Jesus Christ: �Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted� (Heb 2:17).

This help that Christ offers is his mercy, his readiness to lift up the sinner despite the sin.

An example is found in the parable of the ungrateful servant. This wretched man owed a huge sum to his lord who, as a result, was prepared to sell him as a slave. On his knees the servant begged for time to pay. Pitying his distress, the lord forgave the debt entirely (Mt 18:23).

He could have given the man more time to pay. He didn�t. Moved by pity, his forgiveness was absolute.

When the servant abused this magnanimity by not forgiving a debt owed him by a fellow servant, the lord retracted his pity and punished the servant in full.

Jesus� remark here is sobering: �So, also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart�.

This is the way God acts. When a sinner begs for forgiveness, God�s love takes over and forgiveness follows. In matters of serious sin the forgiveness comes through absolution in the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Our situation is somewhat the same as the servant�s. Sin offends God and he rightfully punishes us for it, but as soon as we beg for forgiveness, Christ grants it because he himself has suffered and been tempted and �is able to help those who are tempted�. His mercy is contained and expressed in his forgiveness.

Put it this way: God showed his mercy, his readiness to come to the aid of fallen humanity when he sent his Son to pay our debt and redeem us by his life, death and rising. Christ is the embodiment of divine mercy. All he asks is repentance for sin.

True sorrow for sin gains a judgment far more merciful than we can imagine.