"He loveth righteousness and judgment [i.e. justice]: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD."

                            -Psalm 33:5 

The culture in which we live tends to forget that our God is a just god. Yes, He is gracious, merciful, and kind; but in the end, He will always remain just. I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Because the Lord is holy, sin must be punished. That is why Jesus died on the cross: to take that punishment. Thus, even in forgiving our sins, His justice is not compromised.

People often talk about how "their god would never send anybody to hell." However, we must remember that hell was not originally created for mankind; it was made for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Since humanity took part in the devil's rebellion, it must also take part in his punishment. Those who don't believe their god would send anybody to hell are, in a way, guilty of idolatry, for such a god does not exist. He is a figment of their imagination. Instead of worshiping the one true God, they are worshiping a god they have created in their mind.

We must never stray from the Word's teaching on God's justice. If we ever find ourselves minimizing the consequences of sin ("Oh...it's not that bad."), then that is a good indication that we have done just that.