Recently, I heard someone say, "Mercy is surprising because God doesn't have to save us." And I would agree that we are in no way deserving of salvation. This was quickly followed by another thought.
God is just. This means that He, being holy, must punish sin. Justice is an innate and immovable part of Him. It is built into His character. It is one of His attributes. Thus, when mankind sinned, God was moved to punish him. (Side note: I do believe in God's complete goodness; He is not "out to get us." But that's another discussion. Ask me if you want to talk about it.)
God is also merciful. This, too, is an innate and immovable part of Him. It is built into His character. It is one of his attributes.
Back to justice. Because of His justice, God REQUIRES that sin be punished. It is part of His holy nature and cannot be changed. Because of His mercy, God sent a Savior. That mercy is also part of His holy nature and cannot be changed.
Here, now, is my question: Did God's mercy, His character, because of who He (and He alone) is, REQUIRE Him to send a Savior?
Is it possible that God's character required Him to extend mercy and He choose to use His Son the Savior? Or was that not a choice by also required of Himself by Himself because there is no other suitable One to take upon Himself the punishment for our sins?
What do you think? Does God have to save?
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