“For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
How Worship and Doing What’s Right Go Hand in Hand
Religion, at its heart, is often viewed as a way to connect with God or a higher power. Religion offers several paths for people to draw closer to the Divine. These paths include prayer, rituals, and acts of faith. But what’s fascinating is the focus on justice in many religious traditions. They emphasize treating others fairly. These traditions stand up for what’s right. They also care for those in need. At first, it seems like justice is about earthly concerns, while religion focuses on the heavenly. Still, when we take a closer look, it becomes clear that justice is deeply tied to faith and worship. In fact, doing what’s right in the world is often one of the best ways to honor God.
The Connection Between Faith and Fairness
At first glance, it seems strange that religion would focus on something like justice. Isn’t faith supposed to be about prayer, devotion, and connecting with God? But religion isn’t just about what happens inside a place of worship or during moments of prayer. It’s about how people live their lives every day. Justice—treating people with fairness, kindness, and respect—is a big part of that.
Take the Hebrew Bible, for example. In it, many prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos talk about how important it is to treat others fairly. They warn that worship without justice is empty. Amos famously said, “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24). What he meant was that true devotion to God isn’t just about singing songs. It’s about offering sacrifices. Devotion is about making sure the world is fair and good for everyone.
Why Does Justice Matter to God?
You wonder why justice, which seems like a human issue, would be so important to God. The answer lies in how religious traditions often describe the nature of God. Many faiths see God as deeply caring and compassionate, as someone who loves humanity and wants everyone to thrive. Justice is essentially about ensuring that people are treated with dignity and fairness—things that reflect God’s love for all creation.
When people act justly, they’re not just obeying rules or being “good citizens.” They’re living out the values that religion teaches kindness, fairness, and compassion. In doing so, they become instruments of God’s will, bringing a little bit of heaven down to earth. Justice becomes a way to worship, not just with words, but with actions.
Living Faith Through Justice
Religion doesn’t ask people to choose between worshiping God and helping others—it sees the two as connected. By treating others fairly and standing up for what’s right, people bring their faith to life. For example, acts of kindness, fairness, and humility are more than just good deeds. They are ways to reflect the character of a loving Creator.
This idea makes religion something much larger than personal devotion. It expands faith into something that can transform entire communities. A religion that emphasizes justice isn’t just about individual salvation or enlightenment—it’s about creating a better world for everyone.
The Prophets: Voices for Justice
The prophets of the Hebrew Bible were some of the strongest advocates for justice, and their words still resonate today. These were people who spoke out against corruption, inequality, and the neglect of the poor. They believed that God wasn’t just interested in rituals or sacrifices. What truly mattered was how people treated one another.
For example, the prophet Isaiah criticized those who fasted and prayed but ignored the needs of the hungry and oppressed. To him, true worship meant sharing food with the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and clothing the naked. This wasn’t just about being nice—it was about aligning one’s life with God’s will. Justice, in the eyes of the prophets, was a reflection of God’s love and care for humanity.
Jesus and the Call to Care for Others
The teachings of Jesus in the Christian tradition also highlight the close connection between faith and justice. One of his most famous sayings is, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). In other words, helping those in need is the same as helping God. For Jesus, faith wasn’t just about belief—it was about action.
This teaching challenges believers to see worship and justice as two sides of the same coin. Praying, attending services, and reading scripture are important. Equally important is helping the poor, fighting against injustice, and treating everyone with dignity. True faith, as Jesus taught, is lived out in how we care for others.
Justice: A Fulfillment of Faith
Justice seems separate from religion. It’s easy to think of justice as being about fairness in the world. Religion is viewed as devotion to God. But in reality, the two are deeply intertwined. Worship without justice can become empty and disconnected from the world. On the other hand, justice brings faith to life. It makes faith something that not only touches hearts but also changes lives.
Religion emphasizes justice. It invites believers to live out their faith in a way that resonates in both heaven and earth. It’s not about choosing between worship and doing what’s right—they go hand in hand. When people honor God by honoring others, they create a world that reflects God’s love and care.
Conclusion: The Harmony of Worship and Justice
Religion’s focus on justice isn’t a distraction from its purpose—it’s a fulfillment of it. The prophets, Jesus, and countless religious leaders throughout history have shown that justice isn’t just a “nice thing to do.” It’s a divine calling, a way to connect with God by caring for His creation.
In the end, justice and worship aren’t separate—they’re interwoven. When people seek justice, they honor the image of God in everyone. When they worship, they’re reminded of their responsibility to make the world a better place. Together, these values create a faith that is heartfelt. This faith is life-changing. It calls believers to love God by loving their neighbors.
Blessings,
Minister A. Francine Green
afrancinegreen.com 