Being Just in an Unjust World“He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).
As a young child, when things did not go my way, I would make the accusation that I was not being treated fairly. As I grew older, it translated into feelings that there was no justice at all. Now that I’m an adult, I know that there is very little justice in the world and that God never promised justice from the world.
The pledge to the American flag ends with the words, “… with liberty and justice for all.” Webster’s Dictionary defines justice as the quality of being just, impartial or ethically correct. Do you believe there is justice for all? Have you ever been unjust toward others? How do you respond to being treated unfairly? I expect to shed some light on these questions and encourage all to be just in an unjust world.
In English, the terms “righteousness” and “justice” are different words, but in both the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament thee is only one word group behind these two English terms. In the Old Testament, the terms primarily translate forms of the “tsedek” word group. In the New Testament translation it is of the “dikaios” word group. These two terms will be sundered together as speaking of one attribute of God. God is Just!
Justice is one of many key themes of the Minor Prophets. While it is an attribute of God, justice is also an obligation on the part of man God created. “… and what does the Lord require of you? But to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humble with your God” (Micah 6:8b). Here is a common standard of justice to which we are held accountable.
The reality of sin necessitates the connection between justice and mercy. Israel complained that God had been unjust in holding what they considered their proper amount of material blessings. “Where is the God of justice?” they complained. The people asked for justice, justice is what they should get. God should come and destroy their land, obliterate their city, and confine them all to an eternal hell for their wickedness. However, God’s grace and mercy prevailed, even as it does today. We should be grateful God does not give us what we deserve.
Because of sin we are unjust, and many times we are the victim of unjust acts. Don’t try to bring God down to our level of petty justice or understanding. Accept that God is good, that this is the age of grace and come to Him through Jesus while there is still time. While on planet Earth, with God’s grace, mercy and love we are able to maintain a good testimony before God and man. -- Dr. Henry Lutz is a retired pastor and friend of America's KESWICK
Digging Deeper: Proverbs 15; Leviticus 17-18; Matthew 27:27-50
Dig This Quote: The marvel of the grace of God is that He can take the strand evil and twistedness out of a man’s mind and imagination and make him simple towards God. Restoration through the redemption of Jesus Christ makes a man simple, and simplicity always show itself in action. – Oswald Chambers
Determined Digging: Level 1 -- Psalm 27:4; Level 2 --Psalm 34:1-10
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