But this is a far cry from the Scriptures, which assert that God’s judgment settles all moral problems, it does not create them. God’s judgment is not evil or vindictive, but just, holy, righteous, necessary, and even glorious (Romans 9:19-23). Part of God’s beauty is his just character. The biblical writers were not so concerned with how God could be just if he punished the wicked forever, but rather with how God could be just and not punish evildoers immediately. The people of God in the Scriptures (e.g., Habakkuk and Jonah) struggled regularly with the merciful patience of God, but seldom with his judgment on evildoers (unless, of course, they themselves were the evildoers).

In fact, the central “problem” of the Bible that the gospel solves is centered on how God can be holy and just and still forgive rebellious and guilty sinners who trust him. As a result, even in biblical forgiveness God demands that a penalty due for sin must be paid. The amazing message of the gospel is that through Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross, the Just One becomes the Justifier (Romans 3:21-31). The just God declares guilty sinners who trust in his Son to be righteous because of the righteousness of Christ imputed to them. So Jesus died not only because God is love but also because he is just. 

Hell Under fire - Christopher Morgan & Robert Peterson