Episode #98: Kyle Thompson on God’s Attributes According to Himself: Just
Released on May 16, 2025
Hosts: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson
Podcast: The Daily Blade: Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson
Description: The Daily Blade, hosted by Pastor Joby Martin of the Church of Eleven22 and Kyle Thompson of Undaunted.Life, is a short-form devotional show that equips Christians to apply the Word of God to their everyday lives.
Introduction
In Episode #98 of The Daily Blade, hosts Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson delve into the profound understanding of God’s attributes as revealed in Exodus 34:6-7. Focusing specifically on the attribute of God's justice, Kyle provides a comprehensive exploration of how God's just nature coexists with His compassion and mercy.
Exploring Exodus 34:6-7
Kyle begins the episode by presenting Exodus 34:6-7 from the NASB 1995 edition:
"Then the Lord passed by in front of him, Moses, and proclaimed the Lord. The Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness and truth, who keeps loving kindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet he will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on their children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations."
He highlights that in these verses, God articulates seven distinct attributes: compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness, faithful, forgiving, and just. Up to this point, the hosts have discussed the first six attributes, setting the stage for today's focus on God's justice.
The Attribute of Justice
Kyle emphasizes the importance of understanding God’s justice, ensuring that listeners do not perceive God as solely embodying grace and compassion. He references his pastor, Dr. Mark Hitchcock of Faith Bible Church in Edmond, Oklahoma, who notes:
"God doesn't want us to think he's all grace and compassion. God doesn't show mercy and grace by ignoring or overlooking sins or compromising his justice and righteousness."
Timestamp [02:15]: Kyle elaborates, "God's justice demands that the penalty for sin be paid."
Biblical Examples of Divine Justice
To illustrate God's just nature, Kyle references several key biblical events:
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The Fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:23-24)
- God expels Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, instituting consequences for their disobedience while simultaneously showing mercy by providing garments for them.
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The Flood (Genesis 6-9)
- Due to humanity's pervasive wickedness, God decides to cleanse the earth with a flood, sparing only Noah and his family.
Timestamp [03:00]: Kyle reads Genesis 6:5-7, highlighting God's regret over creating humanity due to their relentless evil.
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Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18-19)
- These cities are destroyed due to their grievous sins, underscoring God's role as the righteous judge of all the earth.
Timestamp [03:30]: Kyle cites Genesis 18:25: "Shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just?"
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The Ten Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12)
- God executes righteous judgments against Pharaoh and Egypt for oppressing Israel, demonstrating His defense of the oppressed and His commitment to justice.
Timestamp [04:00]: Kyle references Exodus 12:12, where God declares His intention to strike down the firstborn in Egypt as a judgment for their sins.
The Intersection of Justice and Mercy
Kyle underscores that while God's justice necessitates punishment for sin, His mercy is fully realized through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He references several New Testament scriptures to illustrate this balance:
- Romans 5:8: "But God shows his love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
- Ephesians 2:4-5: "But God, being rich in mercy...made us alive together with Christ."
- Titus 3:5: "He saved us...by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."
- 1 Peter 2:24: "He himself bore our sins on his body...that we might die to sin and live in righteousness."
- Hebrews 2:17: Jesus had to become like his brothers to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Timestamp [05:00]: Kyle shares a poignant reflection inspired by Shane and Shane's song "Before the Throne of God":
"My sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free; for God the just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me."
He explains that humanity's sin debt is insurmountable by any human effort—"there's not enough old ladies that you can walk across the street or 20 bills you can give to people in need." Instead, God provided a solution through Jesus' atoning sacrifice, satisfying His justice while extending mercy.
Key Takeaways
- God’s Justice is Integral: God's attribute of justice ensures that sin is not overlooked, maintaining His righteousness.
- Consequences of Sin: Biblical narratives consistently show that disobedience to God leads to just consequences.
- Mercy Through Jesus: While God's justice demands punishment for sin, His mercy is displayed through the sacrificial death of Jesus, providing a way for humanity to be forgiven.
- Balanced Nature of God: Understanding God as both just and merciful helps believers fully grasp the depth of His character and His plan for salvation.
Timestamp [06:00]: Kyle concludes, "If you want to know the attributes of God, let's take Him at His word. God is compassionate, God is gracious, God is slow to anger. God is full of loving kindness. God is faithful, God is forgiving, and God is just."
Conclusion
Episode #98 of The Daily Blade offers a profound exploration of God's attribute of justice, balancing it with His mercy and grace. Through scriptural examples and thoughtful reflection, Kyle Thompson elucidates how God's just nature upholds His righteousness while His sacrifice through Jesus provides a path to forgiveness for humanity. This comprehensive understanding equips listeners to appreciate the multifaceted character of God and encourages them to place their faith in His just and merciful plan.
Notable Quotes:
- Kyle Thompson [03:30]: "Shall not the judge of all the earth do what is just?"
- Kyle Thompson [05:00]: "My sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free; for God the just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me."
Stay tuned for next week's episode as Joby Martin and Kyle Thompson continue to equip you with daily insights from the Word of God.