Many people view grace as God simply feeling sorry for us. They think God looks at our mistakes, sighs, and decides to let us off the hook.

But God is a perfect judge. A perfect judge cannot let a criminal walk free just because he feels pity. Mercy cannot bypass justice. If it does, the throne of God loses its integrity.

Before he fell, Lucifer was an anointed cherub. His function was to guard the throne and the righteousness of God. He knows the rules. He knows God cannot accept a sinner without compromising justice. This is why the devil constantly accuses you. He points to your record.

But look at the cross.

"To demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." Romans 3:26 (NKJV)

Jesus took the punishment. He died the death that the law demanded. The blood of Jesus covered the (kapporet) כַּפֹּרֶת — "mercy seat".

When God justifies you, He does not compromise His justice. He demonstrates it. The debt is fully paid. It would be unjust for God to demand payment twice—once from Jesus, and again from you.

The accuser has no legal case. He cannot accuse you to God, because Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. The devil can only accuse you to yourself. He uses your conscience against you.

When your conscience condemns you, you do not point to your good works. You point to the blood. The blood cleanses you instantly.

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Hebrews 9:14 (NKJV)

In the Old Testament, the priest applied blood to the ear, thumb, and toe. Immediately after, he applied oil over the blood. The oil represents the Holy Spirit. The Spirit follows the blood. When you trust the blood to cleanse you, the power of the Spirit arrives to help you walk.

God does not pity you into heaven; He legally justifies you.