Satan rebelled against God in heaven (Revelation 12:7). He accused God of being unloving and unjust towards His creatures in the Universe. Man’s fall on earth gave further opportunity to reinforce Satan’s accusation (Genesis 3:1-4). This is shown in book of Job. His story illustrates Satan’s arrogant and false accusations against God (ch. 1:9-11).
For thousands of years God tolerated the charges of Satan and the rebellion of humans. All the while He was slowly unfolding His amazing plan for the salvation of men. This plan will make possible the forgiveness and transformation of sinners. And it will also show the ultimate perfection of God’s character that is built on justice and mercy (Psalm 89:14).
The plan of salvation reveals God’s infinite love
God’s plan of salvation was predicted by type, symbol, and prophecy throughout the Old Testament. But the ultimate demonstration was revealed to man by the incarnation, life, suffering, and death of God’s innocent Son. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Thus, the supreme expression of divine love was the Father’s gift of His own Son through whom it became possible for the believers to be “called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1). “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
At the cross, God was fully revealed before the universe for justifying those who place their faith on Him and imputing His righteousness to them. “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19).
God not only forgives but transforms the sinner
God’s plan of salvation proved forever God’s limitless love for all His creatures. This love could not only forgive, but could also allow fallen creatures to surrender and obey God. For “The riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience” transforms the sinners to saints (Romans 2:4).
By the blood of Christ, the believer could declare, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Through God’s enabling power, sinners are changed into saints. As they die to their old nature (Colossians 3:9-10) and change into new creatures in the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:17), they become “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:2-4).
God’s character vindicated before the Universe
Through the plan of salvation, the accusations of Satan will ultimately be disproved at the end of the great controversy between good and evil. And God’s character will be fully vindicated. So that, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11; Revelation 5:13). Everyone, including Satan and his followers, will bow down at the feet of Jesus and declare that the ways of God have been just and righteous (Romans 14:11). Then, the peace of the universe will be forever restored.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
