Never did God appear more glorious!
(Thomas Charles, "Conformity to the Image of God" 1838)
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"We considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted.
He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities.
The punishment that brought us peace, was upon Him,
and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:4-5
God is as glorious in punishing sin-as He is in pardoning sin.
Never did God appear more glorious, than when He was pouring out His wrath on the Son of His love, for our sins. Justice and mercy, holiness and love-shone there with united and transcendent splendor.
The same glory of God which shines in punishing sin in Hell-appeared in His punishing it on the cross!
Does not God deserve to be loved for the one, as well as for the other? Does He not deserve to be loved wherever and in whatever manner He causes His glorious justice to appear?
That man never had true grace-who does not love God for punishing sin, as well as for pardoning it.
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Galatians 3:13
"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree!" 1 Peter 2:24