You must be the only one who does not find that in the Bible.
Oh, I don't know, I'll bet you a nickel that I can find some takers of this view on this thread. :)
The Bible makes it very clear that God is a Judge. Judges judge, either by pardoning or condemning. Those who are "saved" are saved from all eternity according to your theology, and those who are not saved (i.e. "lost") are, by God's decision (therefore judgment), destined to perdition.
Yes, God is a judge. In my understanding, what you are describing here is double predestination. I do hold this view. God made the universe and it is His to do with in any way that pleases Him. He is the Potter, and we are His creations. We have no standing to object or complain about anything we may "think" sounds unfair. However, as has been pointed out to me, double predestination is not a majority Protestant view. (On a trivial matter, judges actually do not have the power of pardon, that power is held by the executive.)
I am not placing blame or crying "foul" but simply stating that, looking at your theology, those who will be lost (i.e. not-saved) have no reason to seek anything from God because none will be given. Their fate has been sealed from all eternity. I am glad you see "justice" in that, because I don't.
I am eternally thankful to God almighty that He doesn't give a wit about my sense of justice. :) God's sense of justice is perfect, definitionally. Man's is flawed beyond any comparison. If God ever adopted my sense of justice, then I would be toast. :) You are correct that my view is that those whom God will pass over, will be passed over, and there is nothing that can be done. I am thankful that God chose to save some, BTW in contradiction to our sense of justice. Such an act by Him results in the glory of Himself and His sovereignty.
Now, I know that AG thinks my theology stinks, but even I can say that God's justice is mercy and not condemnation, and frankly I see no mercy in your theology dear friend.
If you want to know what AG thinks of your theology, just ask her! :) I have read every post so far, and I have never heard her say anything like that.
When you say that God's justice is mercy then it is clear that we look at these concepts completely differently. I would say that God has mercy IN SPITE OF His justice. Justice is getting what you deserve. Mercy is NOT getting what you deserve. IIRC, the third pillar of this saying is that grace is GETTING what you do not deserve. These are all very different, but believe me, my theology is packed with God's mercy. :)
You wouldn't be imputing human sense of justice here and confusing it with God's, would you? Again, you seem to know what God's justice is, and you seem to be suggesting that somehow we deserve something. Hebrew word for God's justice was translated into Greek incorrectly. The original Hebrew word is "means of accomplishing man's salvation" (by His mercy alone, because none of us deserved it).
Amen. I think some of our friends talk a good game of "salvation by mercy," but they don't really mean it. What they seem to be saying is that God gives mercy to those who earn it by faith, by repentance, by partaking of the sacraments, by confession, by piety, by righteousness, etc...
And what they miss is that we are not saved by any of those. We are saved by GRACE. God's grace is what saves us.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" -- Ephesians 2:8
"Saved BY grace THROUGH faith in Jesus Christ." Those prepositions account for everything. SAVED BY GRACE ALONE, which means it is ALL mercy and ONLY mercy. Thankfully, "deserve's got nothing to do with it," or we'd all be toast.
The wonderful thing about the Reformed faith that I just don't see anywhere else is this deep sense of calm and unity in God's purpose and cohesion of the Scriptures. Salvation is complete; past-tense. Christ's work on the cross accomplished what God intended from before the world began -- to atone for the sins of His sheep so that they now stand blameless before God. Every sin we have ever or will ever commit has been paid by the death and resurrection of our perfect Redeemer.
We work out our sanctification with "fear and trembling," as Paul tells us in Philippians 2:12, always aware of the enormity of God. But we are confidently led by the Holy Spirit, because Philippians 2:13 continues by assuring us that "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
Thus our salvation is a finished act. Fini.
And with that understanding comes real peace, and a truly healthy outlook on life. Christ assures us that...
"When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace" -- Luke 11:21
Christ is our strong man; we are His goods. We love one another, we work to become productive, we help our fellow man, we preach the Gospel, we raise good children, we're grateful for our lives, we delight in our Lord, all because that's what He WANTS us to do. We are His. God wants us secure and confident in the gift He's given us. We are instructed to trust Him. And doubt is the antithesis of trust.
"For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith." -- Mark 11:23
Ours is a Gospel of confidence. Confidence in His righteousness, His sacrifice, His obedience, His goodness, ordained by God from before the foundation of the world to accomplish our salvation by His merciful grace alone.
For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip... The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation." -- 2 Samuel 22:29-37; 47 "For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." -- Isaiah 12:2
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." -- John 16:33
So, then, those who are saved receive injustice -- i.e. they receive God's mercy; they are pardoned. For surely none can be saved by receiving what he or she deserves. There would be no salvation.
Thus, if God is just, as we believe He is, then His justice, by which we are saved, is mercy and not judgment we deserve.