April 28, 2024
“O Lord, God of Israel, you are just. We come before you in our guilt as nothing but an escaped remnant, though in such a condition none of us can stand in your presence.” Ezra 9:15 (NLT)
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB)
“And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. In his justice, he will pay back those who persecute you.” 2 Thessalonians 1:5-6 (NLT)
I was recently involved in a discussion with a friend of a friend about the justice or injustice of God. The essence of our conversation centered around the idea; that God was not fair in a particular situation. I have pondered this for the past couple of weeks and I decided to dig further into the topic of the justice of God.
One of the reasons I love the Word of God is that it gives us distinct information about who God is and what we can expect from Him! It also gives us clear instructions of who we are in Christ and how we are to live. One thing for sure is that the Word of God is very clear about the fact that God is just, and His justice is an indispensable part of His character in the same way that His love and mercy are indispensable.
One of the things about God is without His justice, sin would run unchecked. Evil would win. There would be no reward for obedience. We could not respect a God who was not just. The Prophet Micah in chapter 6 summarizes the top three qualities God wants to see reflected in us! He says in verse 8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
When you are burdened with troubles, disappointments, and the calamities/unfairness of this fallen world, it is often tempting to think that God is not fair or just. You may have asked the question – How can God allow Believers in Christ to suffer when so many unbelievers down the street are prospering? But rest assured that God’s justice will prevail.
We are finite human beings, and we serve an infinite God. Our human knowledge is only a discovery of the truth that already exists. Every truth in this world is God’s truth. Every mathematical formula and every scientific law can trace its roots to the character of God. God has hidden nuggets of wisdom in our universe for us to find the way as we journey through this life.
Justice is one such truth that doesn’t have a beginning or an explanation. If we were merely evolved bits of offscourings, justice wouldn’t make sense. Humans would have no rights, no inner moral code, and no desire for the eternal. But, because we are created in the image of God as noted in Genesis 1:27, we have His heart – the heartbeat of God in matters of morality, courage, love, and justice. He is the complete embodiment of traits we only possess in part. I John 4:16 reminds us that He is complete love. Psalm 106:1 says He is complete goodness. Psalm 25:10, says He is complete kindness, and the Prophet Isaiah in chapter 61 verse 8, He is complete justice.
God Despises Injustice! The elders and leaders were responsible for helping people, but instead, they stole from the poor. Because they were unjust, Isaiah said the leaders would be the first to receive God’s judgment. Leaders will be held accountable for how they lead. If you are in a position of leadership, you must lead according to God’s just commands. Corruption will bring God’s wrath, especially if others follow your example.
Why is justice so important in the Bible?
- Justice is part of God’s nature; it is the way He runs the universe.
- It is a natural desire in every person. Even as sinners, we all want justice for ourselves.
- When government and church leaders are unjust, the poor and powerless suffer. Thus, they are hindered from worshiping God.
- God holds the poor in high regard. They are the ones most likely to turn to him for help and comfort. Injustice, then, attacks God’s children. When we do nothing to help the oppressed, we are in fact joining with the oppressor. Because we follow a just God, we must uphold justice. The law was given through Moses; God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ as in John 1:17.
One other thing for sure is we serve a JUST GOD! Interestingly, when others wrong us, we cry out for justice when we wrong God, we cry out for His mercy. Thank goodness, God is merciful. But if we don’t accept His merciful gift of salvation, we are subject to God’s justice, the punishment of eternal death and separation from God. Until God sets up His eternal kingdom, where perfect justice prevails, justice will continue to be needed here on earth – both God’s justice to urge us toward His kingdom, and law and order to keep lawlessness from ruling. As we measure out justice, we would do well to learn some lessons about God’s mercy. While justice provides law and order, mercy provides hope and forgiveness’s formula for restoration.
Looking further into God’s Word, when we say that God is just, we mean that He is perfectly righteous in His treatment of His creatures.
Acts 10:34. When we say that God is just, we mean that He is perfectly righteous in His treatment of His creatures. God shows no partiality.
Zechariah 7:10. He commands against the mistreatment of others.
2 Thessalonians 1:6; Romans 12:19. He perfectly executes vengeance against the oppressors.
Hebrews 6:10. God is just in meting out rewards: “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them”
Colossians 3:25. He is equally just in meting out punishments: “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism”
Psalm 89:14. Justice and righteousness, which always work hand in hand, are the foundation of God’s throne
HEART CHALLENGE: As Believers in Christ, What should we do when Justice is abused?
- Speak out against injustice. “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Psalms 82:3.
- Pray that God would intervene. “Break off their fangs, O God! Smash the jaws of these lions, O Lord! May they disappear like water into thirsty ground. Make their weapons useless in their hands.” Psalms 58:6-7. “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free and remove the chains that bind people.” Isaiah 58:6.
- Continue to do what is right. Don’t become unjust yourself. “Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.” Romans 13:7 (NLT)
- Don’t repay evil with evil. Don’t seek revenge. Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.” Proverbs 20:22 (NLT)
A JUST 
HEART: Thousands of years ago, justice was satisfied once and for all as God sent His own Son into the world to be our substitute. God cannot merely
overlook our high treason against Him, or He would not be perfectly just. He cannot retract His love, despite our rebellion, or He would not be perfect love. So, Jesus became the Lamb that God sacrificed on the altar of justice. Christ “died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God.”
God remains just; He is not violating His own code of justice by pardoning those who deserve its consequences. Salvation is a just consequence because God has pronounced Jesus’ death and resurrection sufficient to satisfy His wrath. The curse of the Law that we justly deserved has been taken by Jesus on the cross. PRAISE GOD!
There is no greater goal in life than to truly know God. Experiencing Him and knowing Him intimately is a treasure far greater than any human achievement. God takes great pleasure in those who seek to truly know Him!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for Your Word that provides us with clear information on Your justice; how You provided for us out of Your sheer generosity put us in right standing with You! Thank You for getting us out of the mess of sin and restoring us to where You always wanted us to be. Thank You that our sins are under the blood of Your sacrifice, and You hold them against no more through Jesus Christ, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen.