When a world leader invokes God, it stands out. It sometimes comes across as pandering. It always takes spunk because, after all, God is so controversial.

This time, it was Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. In a speech to a political gathering, he talked about a philosophy of governance. In a rather pointed remark he said, “If one does not believe that one day (he) will have to answer for his deeds before the Lord God…he (thinks he) can do anything that is in his power.” A wise leader is a restrained leader, not unlike the American founders’ idea that government answers to the people, and the people to God. Also not unlike Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s conclusion about Russia’s political chaos during his lifetime: “Men have forgotten God.”

God is controversial if you don’t want the world to be like this: “He has established His throne for judgment, and He will judge the world in righteousness” (Psa. 7-8). Yet we live in a moral world where what’s right, just, and fair punctuate every day (especially if you’re raising children!). Each one of us enters the world with a sense of morality along with the inability to keep even our own moral standards, much less God’s. He has something to say about idolatry, adultery, honesty, theft, etc. It’s easy to stumble at any of these and if you do, you’re guilty of all (Jas. 2:10). In this age of affirmation and participation trophies, it’s hard to hear that we are guilty on all counts.

You do understand that’s why the truth about Jesus is “good news,” right? The God who judges has made a way for you to be blameless, despite your shortcomings. “If God is for us, who is against us? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us” (Rom. 8:31,33,34).

The thief on the cross believed Jesus who told him, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” Alistair Begg imagines a dialogue between that man and the angel at heaven’s gate. “What are you doing here?” “I don’t know.” “Are you clear on the doctrine of justification by faith?” “Never heard of it.” “Then on what basis are you here?” “All I know is the man on the middle cross said I could come.” I imagine Jesus stepping forward and saying, “All charges are dropped.  This one is mine!” (Col. 2:13-14).

Orban is right. God judges. Some may hear that as an attempt to motivate by fear and guilt. But for those who trust Jesus, love and gratitude motivate us to live life God’s way. We have reason to welcome the moment we meet that graceful Judge face to face.

Vox.com published articles on “America’s struggle for forgiveness.” From what I read, Vox could learn something from regular Americans.

Vox writer Sean Illing offers a diagnosis. “A lot of people, with good reasons, point to social media and ‘cancel culture’ as evidence that we’re becoming a more punitive society. I do think that the internet has made us less forgiving, and I worry that the world we’ve built has supercharged our worst pathologies.” He hardly masks his bias that people of a certain policy or political bent have more pathologies to forgive than those who share his moral high ground.

Aja Romano maps out the hopeful stages of resolving toxic disagreements. “What we would hope to find after that initial period of outrage is discussion, apology, atonement, and forgiveness.” But that’s not happening per Atlantic writer Elizabeth Bruenig. “As a society we have absolutely no coherent story — none whatsoever — about how a person who’s done wrong can atone, make amends, and retain some continuity between their life/identity before and after the mistake.”

Isn’t it interesting that religious language finds its way into the discourse? These writers miss the point that theologians have known all along. Everybody needs forgiveness. None of us occupy the moral high ground and all of us share the worst pathology – the fallen human condition. And Jesus offers a coherent story about forgiveness and reconciliation.

It matters because forgiveness is a quality of life issue. It’s also a faith issue. Jesus draws a direct link between those who forgive and those who are forgiven. He wants you to offer others what He offers you. “If you forgive others for their transgressions,” He said, “your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matt. 6:14). When you understand the depth of your depravity and how much God forgives you, you become a forgiver. You leave the offender in God’s hands. It is liberating to release that pathological drive to control others and sustain outrage. Faith, love, and forgiveness make for a high-quality life.

Linda Bagley has that kind of life. In court, she had something to say to James McCleary. His impaired driving killed her son and daughter-in-law. She forgave him. Her daughter added, “Mr. McCleary, make your life right with God because that’s who we all answer to in the end.” Afterwards, Bagley gave McCleary a lengthy, tearful embrace. Her faith empowered her act of forgiveness and reconciliation.

C.S. Lewis supposed it’s easier to forgive the single great injury than the incessant provocations of daily life, “the bossy mother-in-law, the bullying husband, the nagging wife, the selfish daughter, the deceitful son – how do we do it? By remembering where we stand.” By faith in the Lord Jesus, you stand forgiven and reconciled to Him. That’s the reason to forgive, something Vox could learn from you.