God Loves Justice!

Micah 6:8: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Merriam-Webster named ‘justice’ the Word of the Year for 2018.  According to Webster’s there was a 74% spike in look-ups of the word compared with 2017. ‘The concept of justice was at the center of many of our national debates in the past year: racial justice, social justice, criminal justice, economic justice,” the company said when explaining its choice.

God loves justice. We serve a God of justice. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Unfailing love and truth goes before Him (Ps. 89:14).  As the Righteous Judge, He is now clearing the way for His righteous rule to be established on the earth so that the glory and power of His Kingdom will be seen.

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!“

The call to justice is a call to love, righteousness and justice. Isaiah tells the people in  what it really means to worship the Lord. The people acted as though they were eager to learn God’s teachings. They acted like a nation that wanted to do right by obeying God’s laws, but the reason why God was not responding to their prayers and fasting was because they were not doing the things He required. What did God require? “Remove the chains of prisoners who are chained unjustly. Free those who are abused! Share your food with everyone who is hungry; share your home with the poor and homeless. Give clothes to those in need; don’t turn away your relatives.” (Isaiah 58:6-7 CEV). This is justice!

The body of Christ is meant to be a reflection of God in this world. Having a “justice calling” Psalm 58:1says: “…Do you judge fairly and uprightly, O you sons of men”

As I learn more about Biblical justice I can see and better understand God’s love for His creation. Justice is close to His heart. God’s very character is one of justice.  God’s justice is executed from a heart ♥️ of love.

Justice involves fairness, equity and social justice that reflects a covenant people redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

Social injustice is part of the reason why God brought judgment on the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. “The prophets would not allow Israel to get away with claiming the blessing and protection of the covenant relationship for their society while trampling on the socio-economic demands of that relationship for their society.” [1]

A nations leadership is accountable to God and how they administrate justice in relationship to the people. A nation’s leadership must be concerned about the social welfare of it’s people, as well as, social injustice and it’s impact on the least of these.

The church must become more active in the cry for justice.  Micah 6:8 tells us clearly what the Lord requires of us: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly^[a] with your God.”

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Blessings,

Dr. Francine

Note: All Scriptures are taken from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.

Notes:

1. Elroy, David, Christian Perspectives on Law: A Biblical View of Law and Justice, Patermoster 2014