If we understand God to be both just and merciful, should we not consider His judgments as integral to His love? If God is the giver of life, does He not also have the authority to take it according to His wisdom? If God has the power to create life, would it be inconsistent for Him to exercise judgment, including death, in alignment with His perfect justice? Does the existence of judgment negate God’s mercy, or might it instead reveal a God who balances justice with love? Could God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility co-exist? Colossians 1:16–17