GOD'S JUSTICE

Justice is defined as the administration of law that determines what is right, based on principles of equity and correctness, and rewards accordingly; it is the quality of being just, impartial or fair. The Bible says God is just, which means His response to our behaviors, good or bad, is the same, no matter who is involved. God does not play favorites and does not sweep anything under the carpet to cover up for anyone.

God is impartial because justice is His nature, and He would be denying who He is if He wasn’t just in all situations to the fullest extent. If He is not just all the time, it would be difficult to know whether to trust Him or not.

In order to judge fairly in any situation, there have to be clearly stated laws about situations. For instance, unless there is a law that says murder is wrong, God will not be holding anybody accountable for committing murder; the same goes for all other wrongdoings. God doesn’t think up rules as we go along: He has given us His laws already; they are written on our hearts, and we instinctively obey them. As proof that we know God’s laws, our conscience and thoughts either accuse us of wrongdoing or tell us we are doing right (see Romans 2:14-15).

Since God is just, He responds to our actions either by rewarding good behavior or punishing bad behavior. The Bible addresses this topic in detail; it tells us the consequences of wrongdoing, and not only when we are caught in the act, or accused by others. I believe that even if never caught, wrongdoing will be punished. The Bible clearly says, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). As I write this, I’m thinking about fraud, identity theft, and the like; these thieves who might never be caught will have to face God in court someday. 

The good is also rewarded, even if not noted or acknowledged by others at the time of occurrence. Once when Jesus was telling His disciples about the final judgment, He described how He would separate the people into two groups, and then make pronouncements as each group deserves. To the group on His right, He would welcome them into the Kingdom prepared for them, emphasizing: “I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. … and you visited me” (Matthew 25:35-36). The addressees, shocked by what they hear, will ask, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? … or in prison and visit you?” (Matthew 25:37-39). Although the first group was not aware that their good deeds counted for something, they were rewarded; God knows and sees all!

It took me a long time to start appreciating the Psalms that call for God to judge our enemies. It used to make me uncomfortable when I read Psalms that said things like, “Don’t let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God, bring them down” (Psalm 56:7). Now I appreciate it because I understand God will judge and punish wrongdoing because He is just; whether I ask Him to or not, He will judge. I just have to make sure if I’m offended, I’ll forgive and not hold a grudge (see Romans 12:17-18). It is comforting to know that people who hurt you intentionally will have to answer to God unless they repent of course. His Word says, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back, says the LORD’” (Romans 12:19). If He should ever choose not to, that will be His business, not mine, to worry about.

The book of Revelation teaches hell as punishment for unbelievers. I believe that’s how it’s going to be because God is just and faithful. There are many who think God is too loving to send anyone to hell, but they forget or don’t know, He is also too just to allow sin to go unpunished, and too faithful to go back on His Word.

May we take evangelism seriously, and let people know God is not joking about justice and judgment. If it wasn’t for Christ’s death, we would all go to hell, because we are all sinners (see Romans 3:23). Many have died already with no assurance of heaven, and for them, it is too late, but others still have time because they are alive. Let’s work tirelessly to win them for Christ, so they can escape God’s judgment and enter His reward!   

 

All quotes are from the New Living Translation (NLT).   Please share, thank you.