Just God

We can turn on our televisions, and scroll through social media every day, and see the injustice in this modern world that is so dark. Slavery, human trafficking, persecution, abuse, murder, racism and so much more! These reports bring tears and at times anger, and we feel outraged at the injustice, especially if we feel that the criminals got away lightly, and we want retribution and justice!

As believers how are we supposed to handle justice? What is our responsibility?

We need to look at our Creator because justice and righteousness are a big deal to God. God's character is one of justice, mercy and compassion and as believers we are called to reflect this character in our own lives, by acting justly and showing mercy to others, even when it is difficult. This includes forgiving those who have wronged us.

God created every one of us in His image, therefore we all have inherent value and need to be treated with dignity and respect. So when we see people who are excluded, mistreated or disrespected, it is our job to stand up for those who are suffering. Jesus constantly showed love and respect to those that were labelled outcasts, unclean and undeserving.

Why does injustice exist?

In the beginning, God created everything and He saw "it was very good." The Hebrew word Shalom is used to describe this. We often think of this word as meaning 'peace' but it is much more than that. Shalom is when God's people and all of creation, are in a perfect relationship. It is when everything is exactly the way God intended it to be.

Wouldn't we love to live in a world like this!

But when Adam and Eve sinned (Genesis 3), justice could not overlook it. Our Creator, Almighty God, had been defied by these creatures that He showered with love and bounty. He also gave them free will and showed them their options, and told them the consequences:

"You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." (Genesis 2:16-17)

The result was sin had entered the world and broke the perfect relationship between God, humanity and creation. God could not overlook or excuse their actions because God is just, it is part of His character. He cannot make a rule, establish the penalty and then not follow through, when the rule is broken.

Deuteronomy 32:4

 "He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He."

God is unchanging, trustworthy and perfectly just in a world full of uncertainty and shifting values. When God judges he remains true to Himself and His own perfect moral demands, hence the reason there is a collision between our sin and God's justice, which is only resolved in the cross, and a cross that pays for our sin.

God's justice involves "putting things right" and is broader than simply fairness, encompassing compassion, mercy and steadfast love. God's justice lifts up the vulnerable and powerless. The healing ministry of Jesus is about redemptive justice and seeks to enable "Shalom", a justice that resolves, not destroys, even for the enemies of His people!

That is a hard one for us to grasp, isn't it? Especially when we consider some of the horrific crimes committed against humanity throughout history.

But Jesus makes atonement for our sins by enduring the full measure of God's righteous judgement on sin and evil. He suffered the just penalty for sin by dying the death we deserved.

God's justice is also a promise in Revelation 21:1-5 that:

"A day is coming when all that is wrong with our world is made right. There will be no more tears, no more sadness, no more death, no more exploitation, hurt or injustice."

Things will be once again, exactly the way God intended.

Shalom will be restored!

This is the hope we have in Jesus! Hallelujah, what a Saviour.