The God of Love and Justice – Lesson 6.God’s Love of Justice | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley
Series THE GOD OF LOVE AND JUSTICE with Pastor Mark Finley |
Lesson 6.God’s Love of Justice |
God’s Love of Justice – The Foundation of His Actions |
God is both perfect love and perfect justice. Throughout the Bible, it is clear that His love never compromises justice, and His justice is always infused with love. His nature is unchangeable, and He calls people to reflect these divine principles in their lives. While human justice is often flawed and driven by self-interest, God’s justice remains perfect and reliable. Even when it sometimes seems that God is “yielding,” it does not happen out of inconsistency but because He is in a genuine relationship with people. God’s love and justice are the foundation of His governance, and He invites us to hold on to them and live accordingly.
Memory Text: Jetemia 9:24 – “ ‘But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight’ says the Lord.”
Content:
6.1 Love and Justice
Two Inseparable Pillars of His Dominion
The Bible shows that love and justice are inseparably connected. True justice cannot exist without love, and true love requires justice. In God’s moral order, these two principles are perfectly united, in contrast to the often distorted human justice, which is marked by self-interest and corruption. The prophets repeatedly call for justice and warn against oppression and inequality. Therefore, God’s judgment is a hope for the suffering, as it brings punishment for the wicked and liberation for the oppressed. In a world full of injustice, we long for the day when God’s perfect justice is revealed in love.
6.2 God Is Entirely Good and Righteous
God is Perfect – in Justice, Faithfulness, and Love
God is not only just but the source of all justice and goodness. The Bible attests that He never does wrong but always acts according to truth and love. His justice is unwavering, in complete contrast to human injustice. While human rulers often abuse their power, God’s omnipotence is perfectly pure and just. His light knows no darkness, and His ways are always perfect. Even when we do not always understand why God allows evil in the world, we can trust that He always acts with wisdom and love, and His justice will ultimately triumph.
6.3 God’s Changeless Character
God’s Nature Remains Eternal – Faithful, Just, and Unchanging
God is unchanging in His nature, which means that His love, justice, and faithfulness never waver. While people change and circumstances are uncertain, God remains the rock of consistency. His promises stand firm, and His moral purity is eternal. Although He enters into a genuine relationship with us and responds to our behavior, His nature remains consistently good and just. The Bible repeatedly confirms that God cannot lie and that His promises are unbreakable (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:17–18). In difficult times, we can hold on to His unchanging love, for He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
6.4 A Repenting God?
God’s Repentance – An Expression of His Mercy and Faithfulness
God does not repent in the human sense because He makes no mistakes or errs. Instead, biblical passages where God “relents” or “gives way” show that He is in a genuine relationship with us. His nature remains unchanged – He is always just, loving, and merciful – yet He responds to human repentance and intercession. When people change, God can adjust His actions without breaking His faithfulness or promises. This is not a sign of weakness but of divine patience and grace. God’s willingness to withhold judgment when people repent reveals His deep love and unwavering mercy.
6.5 Hold Fast to Love and Justice
Holding on to Love and Justice – God’s Way for Us
God is the source of all faithfulness, justice, and love, and He remains perfectly good in all His actions. He loves not only those who follow Him but also those who reject Him – a love that Jesus revealed in its deepest form on the cross. This perfect love requires justice because true mercy cannot exist without righteousness. The Bible urges us to actively live out love and justice (Hosea 12:7) and thus reflect God’s nature. Our trust in God’s justice gives us hope that one day all wrongs will be righted. Until then, we should promote love and justice in our surroundings, just as God exemplifies to us.
6.6 Summary
God’s Love for Justice – An Inseparable Divine Principle
God’s love and justice are inseparably connected – true justice can only exist in love, and true love requires justice. God is perfectly good and just, His nature remains unchanging, and He always acts in faithfulness and truth. Even when the Bible sometimes speaks of God “repenting” or “yielding,” it does not happen because of an error but because He is in a genuine relationship with people and responds to their repentance. God calls us to hold on to love and justice in our lives, for He Himself embodies these principles perfectly. In the end, His justice will be fully revealed, and He will judge all wrongdoing. Until then, we should reflect His nature by practicing love and advocating for justice.
The God of Love and Justice – Lesson 5.The Wrath of Divine Love | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley
Series THE GOD OF LOVE AND JUSTICE with Pastor Mark Finley |
Lesson 5.The Wrath of Divine Love |
When Love Demands Justice |
God’s wrath is often misunderstood as an expression of arbitrariness or punishment, but the Bible shows that it is deeply rooted in God’s love and justice. God’s wrath is directed solely against evil that harms His creatures and is an expression of His protection and care. His patience and mercy always offer people the chance to repent before He acts justly. However, God’s love ultimately demands that evil be eradicated to allow peace and salvation for all. This lesson invites us to understand God’s wrath in the context of His infinite love and to combine compassion and justice in our own lives.
Memory Text: Psalm 78:38 – “ But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath.”
Content:
5.1 Grieved by Evil
God’s Holy Wrath as an Expression of His Love
God’s wrath springs from His perfect love and deep sense of justice. He does not act arbitrarily against people but against evil that harms His beloved creatures. The recurring cycle of rebellion and divine grace shows that God, despite the severe disobedience of His people, repeatedly responds with patience, mercy, and forgiveness. Psalm 78 clarifies that God’s wrath is never uncontrolled but is an expression of His protective actions on behalf of the oppressed. This understanding helps us recognize our own anger over injustice as a reflection of God’s holy wrath, which arises from His love for the well-being of His creation.
5.2 God is Slow to Anger
Patience and Grace as Expressions of Divine Love
God reveals in His patience and longsuffering a deep, immeasurable love that bestows mercy even when people do not deserve it. The story of Jonah shows how difficult it is for humans to grant this grace even to enemies, while God is willing to forgive even a sinful people like the Ninevites. Jonah’s hardness of heart reveals how quickly people tend to judge, whereas God is always ready to forgive. This divine patience challenges us to show mercy to others as God has shown it to us. However, God’s longsuffering does not mean that He ignores sin but that He gives people time to repent before acting justly. This attitude invites us to be patient, gracious, and just in our dealings with others.
5.3 Righteous Indignation
The Wrath of Love Against Injustice
Justified indignation is a reaction of love against injustice and evil that harms others. Jesus’ actions in the temple show that God’s wrath is never arbitrary but always serves to protect the weak and honor God. Jesus was angry not out of selfishness but because the temple, a place of worship and forgiveness, was being abused for deceit and oppression. Similarly, His indignation over the hard-heartedness of the Pharisees expressed His compassion for the suffering. This divine wrath admonishes us to recognize injustice and courageously oppose it, always with a heart full of love and justice. To avoid disguising selfish anger as justified indignation, we must examine our motives and let God’s love and truth guide us.
5.4 God Does Not Afflict Willingly
His Wrath Serves Justice, Not Punishment
God’s wrath does not stem from a desire to punish people but from His deep love for creation and His pursuit of justice. He allows judgment only when all possibilities for repentance are exhausted, as shown in the example of Jerusalem, which after long disobedience was left to the Babylonians. God’s actions are never arbitrary but a consequence of human decisions, while He also judges excessive cruelty—like that of Babylon. This understanding shows that God’s wrath is always in the service of justice and not out of a desire for punishment. For us, this means being patient and merciful but also courageously standing up for justice and protecting the weak. God’s example teaches us to distinguish between righteous indignation and selfish anger.
5.5 Show Compassion
God’s Mercy as a Model for Our Actions
God’s wrath is not an expression of arbitrariness but a just reaction to the evil that harms His beloved creatures. It arises from His perfect love and ultimately serves the goal of completely eliminating evil to create eternal peace and justice. Since revenge belongs solely to God, we are called to show compassion and trust in His justice. Jesus’ atoning sacrifice saves us from divine wrath and reveals God’s infinite grace. This understanding challenges us to also treat others with mercy and not act out of wounded pride. By understanding God’s patience and forgiveness, we learn to implement compassion and forgiveness in our own lives.
5.6 Summary
Justice from Deepest Mercy
God’s wrath is not arbitrary or vengeful but a just and loving reaction to the evil that harms His creation. This wrath springs from His deep love for people and His desire to restore justice and protect the oppressed. God’s patience and mercy are evident in that He always gives people the opportunity to repent before exercising judgment. However, His love ultimately demands the elimination of evil to create peace and justice for all. Jesus’ atoning sacrifice preserves believers from this just wrath and reveals God’s infinite grace. This divine attitude teaches us to act with compassion, patience, and a just stance towards injustice ourselves.
The God of Love and Justice – Lesson 4.God Is Passionate and Compassionate | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley
Series THE GOD OF LOVE AND JUSTICE with Pastor Mark Finley |
Lesson 4.God Is Passionate and Compassionate |
The Source of True Love and Grace b |
God’s nature is characterized by deep compassion and boundless mercy. The Bible describes His love as stronger and more intimate than the deepest human affection, comparable to the care of a parent for their child (Psalm 103:13; Isaiah 49:15). Despite the unfaithfulness of His people, God remains faithful, patient, and full of mercy. In Jesus Christ, this divine mercy becomes visible through perfect compassion and selfless dedication. This lesson invites us to better understand God’s loving actions and to reflect His mercy in our own lives.
Memory Text: Isaiah 49,15 – “ ‘Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you.’ ”
Content:
4.1 More Than a Mother’s Love
God’s Infinite Compassion
God’s compassion surpasses every form of human love, even the intimate affection of a mother for her child. Psalm 103:13 and Isaiah 49:15 show that God treats us like beloved children and never forgets us, even when human parents might fail. The Hebrew term racham, derived from the word for womb, highlights God’s deep, “womb-like” motherly love. Jeremiah 31:20 describes God’s unwavering desire for His people despite their unfaithfulness. This deep, inner longing of God demonstrates that His mercy is boundless and steadfast. For people with painful family experiences, God’s compassion can be made understandable through Jesus’ life and actions—through His healing proximity to the outcast and His unconditional love.
4.2 Gut-Wrenching Love
God’s Deep Yearning for His People
Hosea 11:1–9 portrays God’s intimate, fatherly love for His people, whom He tenderly cares for like a parent accompanies their child’s growth. Despite Israel’s repeated unfaithfulness, God’s love endures, wrestling with pain and compassion, revealing His deep emotional bond. God’s heart “turns away” in compassion, reflecting His passionate longing for reconciliation. This heart-wrenching love combines compassion and justice, for God’s love is not blind but profound and just. For us, this means that God does not abandon us in our missteps but calls us to repentance with patience and mercy. This knowledge brings us comfort and hope that God’s love remains unchanged even in our weakness.
4.3 The Compassion of Jesus
The Lived Mercy of God
Jesus embodied God’s boundless compassion by not only feeling pity but actively addressing people’s needs (Matthew 9:36; Mark 1:41). He healed the sick, comforted the grieving, and took in the outcasts, always moved by genuine mercy. Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37) shows His deep longing to gather and protect the people—like a bird caring for its chicks. These images illustrate that Jesus’ love is as strong and caring as the Father’s in the Old Testament. Jesus’ life was the perfect revelation of God’s love in human form. As His followers, we are called to emulate this example by approaching others with compassion and making God’s love visible through concrete actions.
4.4 A Jealous God?
God’s Passionate Love and Faithfulness
God’s jealousy (el qanna) is not a destructive or envious emotion but an expression of His deep, passionate love and desire for an exclusive relationship with His people. This divine jealousy is comparable to the devotion of a faithful husband who wants to protect his beloved wife from infidelity (2 Corinthians 11:2). It arises from God’s care and desire to prevent His people from the harm caused by false idols and ways (Psalm 78:58). Unlike human jealousy, which is often selfish, God’s jealousy is just and directed toward the well-being of His people. It shows how seriously God takes His relationship with us and that He meets us with an incomparable, protective love. This divine passion can teach us to act faithfully, lovingly, and protectively in our relationships—with a love that seeks the best for others.
4.5 Compassion and Passionate
God’s Love as a Model for Our Lives
God reveals in Jesus Christ a compassionate and passionate love that is shown through care, comfort, and deep empathy (Isaiah 63:9; Luke 19:41). This divine love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4–8, is patient, kind, and free from selfishness. It requires us to act with compassion and love not by our own strength but through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). The death of the self—the laying down of selfishness and pride—is necessary to make room for God’s love. Only when we ask God to renew our hearts can we live this pure, selfless love. This love leads us to actively comfort others, approach them with compassion, and make God’s love visible through our actions.
4.6 Summary
The Depth of Divine Love
Lesson 4 demonstrates that God’s compassion and mercy go far beyond human understanding. Like a parent’s love for their child, God’s affection is deep, steadfast, and infinite (Psalm 103:13; Isaiah 49:15). His passionate love is especially described in the caring jealousy with which He seeks to preserve His people from unfaithfulness (Deuteronomy 5:24). In Jesus Christ, God’s compassion becomes visible as He meets the needy with full mercy and gives Himself up for humanity (Matthew 9:36; Luke 19:41). This divine love is meant to inspire us to encounter others with compassion, patience, and selfless love through the power of the Holy Spirit. God invites us to embrace His mercy and actively share it in our lives.
The God of Love and Justice – Lesson 3.To Be Pleasing to God | Sabbath School with Pastor Mark Finley
Series THE GOD OF LOVE AND JUSTICE with Pastor Mark Finley |
Lesson 3.To Be Pleasing to God |
Living for the Honor of God |
God desires a close and loving relationship with every person, regardless of our faults and weaknesses. Through His infinite grace and love, He gives us the opportunity to be pleasing to Him. This lesson shows how we can delight God through faith in Jesus Christ and by living a life of love and righteousness. It is not about perfect performance, but about a sincere heart and the desire to live according to His will. God’s joy over our return to Him motivates us to serve Him with devotion and trust. This awareness strengthens us to walk His path with love and humility.
Memory Text: Zephaniah 3,17 – “The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Content:
3.1 More Valuable Than You Can Imagine
More Valuable Than You Can Imagine – The Infinite Love of God
The parable of the prodigal son vividly illustrates God’s immeasurable love and mercy. The father welcomes his repentant son with open arms, even though the son has deeply disappointed him. This demonstrates that God accepts every person with compassion and joy, no matter how far they have strayed from Him. In contrast, the older son’s reaction reflects a human perspective of justice that often does not align with God’s boundless grace. This story admonishes us not to become self-righteous but to acknowledge God’s love for others as well. It reminds us that we are infinitely valuable to God—much more than we can ever comprehend.
3.2 Rejoicing With Gladness
God’s Joy Over Each Individual
Zephaniah 3:17 illustrates God’s overwhelming joy over the return and redemption of His people, similar to how the father in the parable of the prodigal son ran to his son with compassion. God’s love is so deep and comprehensive that words can hardly express His enthusiasm. This joy is evident in His immediate presence with us—He is right in the midst of His people. Isaiah 62:4 emphasizes this joy with the image of a loving marriage, where God is closely united with His people. Similarly, Ephesians 5:25–28 calls us to love one another with the same selfless love that Christ has for the church. God’s joy over each saved person is an expression of His limitless and personal love.
3.3 Pleasing God?
Our Significance in His Eyes
It is amazing that the almighty God of the universe takes pleasure in us humans. Isaiah 43:4 and Psalm 149:4 show that God loves us and takes delight in us because we are immeasurably valuable to Him. Despite our sinfulness, He delights in sincere hearts and righteous actions, as emphasized in Proverbs 15:8–9. God’s joy in us is an expression of His deep love and care, which goes far beyond human understanding. This intimate connection between heaven and earth gives us hope and comfort, especially in difficult times. It reminds us that we are important to God and that our efforts to please Him do not go unnoticed.
3.4 Living Stones
Pleasing God in Christ
Despite our sinfulness, we can please God because He accepts and transforms us through Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8 shows that God’s love was already for us when we were sinners, and through Christ, we have received reconciliation and grace. 1 Peter 2:4–6 describes us as “living stones” who, through Jesus, are capable of offering spiritual sacrifices pleasing to God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), but through Christ, we are strengthened to do His will. This assurance that Jesus mediates for us in heaven gives us hope and comfort. It shows that God not only acts for us but also works within us to transform us into His image.
3.5 A Worthy Goal
A Valuable Goal – Pleasing God with Faith
God rejoices over every sincere response to His love, even when our faith is weak. The story in Mark 9:17–29 shows that the honest cry, “Help my unbelief!” is sufficient to receive Jesus’ help. God does not require perfect faith but an open heart that seeks Him. Through Christ’s mediating service, even our small faith is accepted and makes us pleasing to God. This trust should motivate us to strive to please God in all things (2 Corinthians 5:9) and to share His love further. Neighborly love and the golden rule remind us to treat others with the same grace we have received.
3.6 Summary
Being Pleasing to God – Living in His Love and Grace
God longs for us to please Him, not through perfect works, but through sincere faith and love. Through Jesus Christ, we are accepted despite our weaknesses and can perform actions pleasing to God. God’s joy over every repentant sinner, as illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son, demonstrates His boundless mercy. Even small, weak faith is accepted and strengthened by Him. This love motivates us to seek God’s will, act with love, and show mercy to others. Our goal should be to bring joy to God in all areas of our lives.
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