Justice. The mere mention of the word separates Christians into camps. When we hear it, we want to determine whether or not the speaker is on our “side.”
Discussions on justice have resulted in division, outrage, and rising tensions. The topic itself is not the problem. Our hearts and minds are. Too many Christians have exchanged heavenly thinking for worldly thinking and engage justice primarily from the vantage point of creatures, not the Creator.
Christians must ask, Who has the corner on justice? Who defines it? Scripture reveals that God and God alone has the corner on justice. We cannot take our cues from secular definitions, political parties, or our own internal sense of justice. Rather, we must look to the Rock, whose work is perfect, and all his ways are justice (Deuteronomy 32:4).
Justice is seen in and determined by the ways of God. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne (Psalm 89:14). The Lord loves justice (Psalm 37:28), and he is the God of justice (Isaiah 30:18). He does no injustice, and every morning he shows forth his justice (Zephaniah 3:5).
The justice of God is inscrutable and unsearchable. Because God is the God of justice, justice is a joy to the righteous (Proverbs 21:15), and the Lord requires us to “do justice” (Micah 6:8).
To walk the path of justice, it is not enough to refrain from evil, or refrain from injustice. Instead, we must also follow God’s commands, treat others rightly, help the weak and lift up the vulnerable, give to the needy, show mercy and kindness, and treat others as we would like to be treated. We must approve the punishment of wrongdoing, practice biblical speech ethics, value due process, resist greed, work faithfully, and walk in generosity.
Justice in Scripture involves a public or social component that requires a concern for our neighbor, both individually and collectively. For justice to rule and reign in society is for life to operate in the full goodness and righteousness that God intended.
In order to understand and practice justice, we must look to Jesus Christ. He is the only perfectly just man who ever walked this earth. He healed the sick, welcomed the outcast, flipped the tables of hypocrites, yet showed boundless mercy to sinners. He came to bring justice to the nations (Isaiah 42:1), though justice will only be fully realized in the world when he comes again in glory. Justice must be wed to our love of God (Luke 11:42), which is demonstrated perfectly in Jesus Christ.
As we seek justice, correct oppression, and help the fatherless, the widow, and the sojourner (Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 7:6; Malachi 3:5), we must remember that justice belongs to God. And we must rejoice in his justice wherever it is displayed. “When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous” (Proverbs 21:15). God is inviting his people into the joy of seeing and celebrating a wholistic vision of biblical justice. How will we respond to that call?
Prayer Requests:
- Pray that Christians would pursue justice with joy, and pursue it in ways that are pleasing to God.
- Pray that Christians would not lose heart, and would remain hopeful as they pursue justice.
- Pray that as Christians pursue justice, the Lord would deepen unity and increase joy within the Church.
