Just - iV

Entering Into God’s Presence

Knowing Who God Is: His Character

God is Just

To Study and Ponder

• What difference does it make if we are confident that God is just?  Or think about the opposite…how are our lives different if we are afraid God is unjust?  Does He care about injustice that is done to me or others?  So many are angry or afraid of God because they wrongly believe He is unjust, and that He does not care when injustice is done in the world.  It is so important for us to be confident and secure that God is just.

• Our idea of being ‘just’ is based on our idea of choosing what is right and fair. We feel in our hearts that a loving person will be just.  That’s why we become so angry when we are unjustly treated, and why the world is so angry when God or His people seem to act without care for justice.

• Justice requires that the penalty for a crime is paid. Most of the time, bringing justice runs exactly opposite to showing mercy. Jesus’ death on the cross is the only time that both justice and mercy are perfectly blended.  In the same action, sin is paid for (justice) and the sinner is forgiven (mercy).   

  For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. (Romans 3:25-26).

  Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed!  (Psalm 85:10).

  God’s laws and His actions are always just.  Here are some verses that give us this confidence:

  He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!  (Deuteronomy 32:4)

  For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good  (Psalm 33:4-5a).  Also: Psalm 11:7, 99:4

  Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!  (Isa 30:18)  (NIV)

  For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. (Isa 61:8ª)

  But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things.....  (Jer 9:24)

• True justice doesn’t treat people differently.  God doesn’t have any “favorites” but He is just to all.   

  The LORD is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings (Psalm 145:17 NRSV). This means that he will never give anyone less than deserve (although he longs to give everyone better than they deserve).

  You see the conduct of all people, and you give them what they deserve. (Jeremiah 32:19b.)  Also: Matthew 22:16; Acts 10:34; Rom 2:11; Gal 2:6; Eph 6:9; Col 3:25; 1Pe 1:17.

• God cares about justice for those who are poor and unjustly treated.

  The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.  (Psalm 103:6)

  But I know the Lord will help those they persecute; he will give justice to the poor. (Psalm 140:12)

• God expects His people to make just decisions, and fight for justice, just like He does:

  Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other. (Zechariah 7: 9-10)

  I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the highest angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism to anyone. (1Timothy 5:21)

  You must never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly. (Deu16:19)  Also: Lev 19:15, Isa 33:15-17

  He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?  (Micah 6:8)  (ESV)

• We can be confident that God is just with us, and that He wants us to treat others with justice and do all we can to see others are treated justly.  This demonstrates His heart to a world who lives in fear and anger from injustice.

Memory/Meditation:

Lower Grades:

He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!     Deuteronomy 32:4  (NLT)

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.   Psalm 89:14  (NLT)

Middle Grades:

Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations. Revelation 15:3  (NLT)

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.  Micah 6:8  (NLT)

Upper Grades:

But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!  Jeremiah 9:24 (NLT)

For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.   Romans 3:25-26  (NLT)