Through Jesus, God’s mercy was exhibited to humanity, but mercy does not set aside justice. The law could not be changed, but God sacrificed Himself in Christ for our redemption. “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.” 2 Corinthians 5:19. HH 352.2
The law requires a righteous life, a perfect character, and this we do not have. But Christ, as a human being, lived a holy life and developed a perfect character. These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive Him. His life stands for their life. In this way they have forgiveness of sins that are past. More than this, Christ fills them with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character in the likeness of the divine character. And so “the righteous requirement of the law” is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. Romans 8:4. God can “be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:26. HH 352.3
It had been Satan’s aim to divorce mercy from truth and justice. But Christ showed that in God’s plan they are joined together. The one cannot exist without the other. “Righteousness and peace have kissed.” Psalm 85:10. HH 352.4
By His life and His death, Christ proved that God’s justice did not destroy His mercy. He proved that sin could be forgiven and that the law is righteous and can be perfectly obeyed. Christ refuted Satan’s charges. HH 352.5
Now Satan would bring forward another deception. He declared that the death of Christ abolished the Father’s law. If it had been possible for the law to be changed or abolished, then Christ would not have needed to die. But to do away with the law would be to immortalize sin and place the world under Satan’s control. Because the law was changeless, Jesus died on the cross. Yet the very means by which Christ established the law, Satan claimed had destroyed it. This will be the focus of the last conflict in the great controversy. HH 352.6