(November 6, 2012 at 12:28 pm)Reasonable_Jeff Wrote: The alternative is what God has done through Jesus Christ.
Are you familiar with the story of Barabbas?
Barabbas, a convicted murderer and rebel against the Roman government is set free and Jesus pays the price. Rebels against Rome were often crucified to make an example of, Barabbas goes free even though he's guilty, and Jesus takes the penalty.
(you can read about this in Mark 15)
That's the alternative....God shows not only his justice but His mercy as well.
Really? I don't think you could have shown a worse example of his mercy. God has a really bad track record with those who are 'rebels'. Didn't he have just about every 'rebellious' population killed off in the OT?