What is justice?

 

At first it seems justice would be easy to define. Most dictionaries say it is giving a person what is due them, being fair, impartial, a moral rightness. One says justice is based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, or equity. These terms can mean something different depending on background, culture, social norms and belief systems.

For instance, if a person kills an innocent bystander, some would say that person should be killed. That is justice. Others might say he or she deserves a fair trial, or maybe the bystander was not innocent and deserved to die. Law gets tricky and what is fair and just very often seems a matter of opinion.

Perhaps this confusion happens because truth has been relegated to personal opinion. Many assure what is true for one person is not necessarily true for others. The Bible is considered objective truth, yet many dismiss it as being true only for those who believe it. In other words, God not longer is considered the standard or truth for anything. Instead, humans decide what is true, or just and what is permissible.

Biblically, justice means: “to make right.” It is mainly a relational term — people living in right relationship with God, one another, and creation — and God determines what that ‘right relationship’ looks like. Our example and standard is Jesus Christ. He lived in right relationship with His heavenly Father and with humanity — by His obedience to His Father. For us to live justly, we need to be in a right relationship with God through faith in His Son. Then in that relationship, we also need to obey our Heavenly Father and treat others as He desires. Some examples include how we deal with those who mistreat us:

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:19–21)

On the other hand, if someone violates law and is guilty, the ‘repayment’ to promote order and punish the guilty has been given by God to government authorities. When private citizens take the law into their own hands, they actually usurp the authority of God. Yet even this is debated. In some countries, if an intruder threatens and their victim takes action, the victim is charged with a crime. In others, that person is applauded for defending themselves.

Justice isn’t just about crime. Micah says: “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). Another OT prophet says:

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. (Isaiah 1:16–17)

This passage goes on to connect justice with having sins forgiven and then being obedient to God. People who are in His family are to live with consideration for barriers to human thriving and the misuse of power that exploits people’s lives. We are to repair harm and inequities. However, justice is not the same as charity and development. Instead, it is more about challenging corruption, violence and abuse of others.

Unfortunately, the Greek word dikaiosunê has been translated in many English bibles as “righteousness” and North American churches tend to limit the idea of justice to vengeance or punishment in courts and prisons, as opposed to the wider vision of challenging other sinful activities such as greed, and unfair treatment of those who are vulnerable.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (James 1:27)

PRAY: Jesus, justice is lacking in an overwhelming way and in every part of the world. Some are called to fight it directly, others to pray for good governments as well as Your intervention. Grant me the ability to listen and be wise in words and actions as well as in praying for justice and mercy where both are missing and most needed.

Mercy, generosity, and dancing

Numbers 35:1–36:13; 1 Corinthians 16:1–24; Psalm 30:1–12

How many people know that many of the best parts of our legal system come from the Old Testament? One of those parts is that the law distinguishes between manslaughter and murder, killing someone without intending to do so, or killing with intent. The differences now from the way it was back in the days of Moses can be seen in this passage.

“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there. The cities shall be for you a refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation for judgment. And the cities that you give shall be your six cities of refuge. You shall give three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities in the land of Canaan, to be cities of refuge. These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills any person without intent may flee there . . . . But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death . . . . If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses. But no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness. Moreover, you shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer, who is guilty of death, but he shall be put to death.” (Numbers 35:10-15; 16; 30-31)

Today, instead of fleeing to a city of refuge, those who commit manslaughter are put in prison, a similar ‘sentence’ but not quite the same as having to stay in a particular city for a certain length of time. However, this law applied to everyone, Jews and Gentiles, citizens and those passing through. It is unbiased.

Also, today the death sentence for murder is upheld in some places, but not all. That was changed because of the danger of punishing an innocent person. However, the Old Testament law had a safeguard against that; the need for more than one witness. Further, no one could ‘buy’ his life, whereas today many murderers are allowed to plea-bargain.

I’m not involved in the legal system, nor am I a lawyer, but it seems to me that God’s plan seems both fair and just, but also merciful. If the death was an accident, the guilty party was given a decent option.

The NT reading hasn’t anything to do with legalities, but it does have something to do with the traditions that the church falls into. As a Bible student, I’ve learned that we often get two things mixed up in interpretation. We need to see the difference between narratives that are “descriptive” and those that are “prescriptive.” That is, do the verses describe what was done back then, but are not commanded for us, or do they give a pattern that we are supposed to follow? Today’s reading is one of those passages . . .

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. (1 Corinthians 16:1–3)

Paul was coming to the church at Corinth to collect an offering for the needy church in Jerusalem. He told the Christians in Corinth to give a weekly offering on Sunday so when he came, there would be no need for a special offering. He would simply collect that which had been donated up until then.

Is that descriptive or prescriptive? It isn’t a big deal, really, but if adhered to as strictly prescriptive, then a church today might box themselves in. That is, no spontaneous offerings, no love offerings without planning ahead, and you could not make a donation on any other day of the week. In this case, these rules sound silly, but there are many churches where failing to make this distinction has had adverse results in the way they do things.

I’m also learning how to read the OT in light of the NT and understanding how the redemptive plan of God fits into the history covered by the Bible. I’m also seeing how Christ is hinted at and revealed throughout – from Genesis to Revelation. I can see connections I’d not noticed before, but also am learning to distinguish between connections from my imagination and those that actually were intended by the biblical authors.

Here is an example. In the NT, Jesus said in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Some take this out of context and apply it at funerals. While it is true that God comforts those who grieve, this passage is not about mourning the dead, but mourning sin.

As I read the following verse from the Psalms, I wonder if it is saying the same thing. David wrote, “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” (Psalm 30:11–12)

Is David at a funeral? The Psalm doesn’t say so. It seems his mourning is not about grief of loss or a death, but the sorrow over sin and failure to love God by disobeying His commands. But how can I know that for sure? I could do word studies and read commentaries and so on, but the best way to interpret the Bible is by paying attention to the context. Read it and see what the whole Psalm is about.

Devotional reading has a different focus than Bible study as well, yet getting the gist of the passage is important so that I think rightly about God and His will for me. For that, today’s readings show His mercy for my mistakes, His desire that I be generous, and that it is just fine with Him if I do a happy-dance because He has turned my sorrow for sin into joy at His forgiveness!

Justice and Jesus

Sometimes the astute philosophers and theologians must take a back seat to ordinary people. This quote is from a homeless man: “You wouldn’t want to live in a world where God didn’t punish injustices and just freely forgave sin — without any request for someone to choose the salvation He offers back. Imagine a place where injustice was never punished and people never recognized their sin and need for salvation. That would be terrible and painful.”

It seems that the desire for justice is in our hearts. It might be misled or misdirected, but everyone has a sense of rightness and feel dismay when it does not happen. No doubt this is part of what it means to be made in the image of God.

When Egypt made slaves out of God’s people, the Lord sent Moses to lead them to freedom. Of course the Egyptian Pharaoh did not want them to leave. Even though he seemed to be favorable during each plague, he hardened his heart as soon as the plague was lifted. Moses must have been frustrated by what seemed a lack of justice, but God said there would be one more plague . . .

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 12:12–13)

The blood He spoke of was in the instructions He gave Moses, who then passed them on to the elders of Israel. He said to them, “Go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans, and kill the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.” (Exodus 12:21–23)

He told them when their offspring asked about the Passover celebration to be celebrated every year afterward, they were to say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’ ” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped. (Exodus 12:27)

Because God is truly good, injustice must be punished. This is why Jesus had to die. He paid the price for all the evil inflicted in the world and the terrible sins we commit against one another and against God. Jesus’ death combines God’s mercy on sinners with His justice for sin —all in one wonderful and terrible act.

This act was foreshadowed in the Passover event. The Exodus is often called a saving act, and it was, but it was also brutal and horrible. God killed all the firstborn in Egypt as an act of justice against them for the suffering they inflicted on His people. While Pharaoh was given many warnings, he refused to change his ways and paid a terrible price. He was guilty and deserved justice. But Jesus was innocent. He suffered a brutal crucifixion as He took upon Himself the punishment we deserve.

The next reading offers words of praise from a bride to her lover. For me, it evokes worship to the One who redeemed me from justice by paying my wages for sin . . . “As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.” (Song of Solomon 2:3)

No person wants to have justice fall upon them. I know that true justice would cost me my life. But God loves me. “He did not send his Son into the world in order that he should judge the world, but in order that the world should be saved through him” . . . The one who believes in him is not judged, but the one who does not believe has already been judged, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God” (John 3:17-18).

There is a caveat to this wonder of escaping justice. It puts people into two camps; those who love sin and those who love Jesus. He said about the former: “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” (John 3:19)

And He explained the way of escape. It is not through anything we do, but through revelation and faith: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

The Israelites were helpless to escape their bondage. They were told of a land of promise, but it was not only beyond their vision, but beyond any ability to get there. God had to rescue them, and He did it.

Without this new life that God gives, I could not see God’s kingdom either, never mind enter the life that He promises. My exodus from bondage began more than forty years ago – simply because God determined to rescue me. With great delight I sit in His shadow . . . !

The answer is . . .

Sunday school teachers know the “pat answer” line in their classes. This is given when Bible students young and old don’t know the answer and say, “Jesus” thinking it will likely be right.”

This isn’t far from the truth. When I don’t understand what God is like, I can see it in Jesus. When I am uncertain where I stand before Him, my answer is in my Savior. When I wonder if God has forgiven me, or still loves me, or cares about the world around me, the answer is always in Jesus. By taking a long look at His life and pondering His death and resurrection, my fears melt and my questions with them. Jesus is the answer.

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way. (Psalm 85:10–13)

Consider the virtues expressed in Christ toward us, virtues such as justice, mercy, and truth. How can God be just without slaying all sinners? How can He merciful without contradicting His holiness, His wrath against sin? How can the truth of all that God is make a difference in a world that neglects, ignores, mocks, and even hates His truth?

The answer is in Jesus Christ. The justice of God says He “will by no means clear the guilty” yet that same God sent His Son — who showed such great regard to God’s justice that He was willing to suffer and die in our place. He, the Judge of the world, experienced the wrath of God that we might go free and yet God’s justice was satisfied.

This (the redeeming plan of God) was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:25–26)

The holiness of God simply means He is ‘other than’ we are. He is light with no darkness at all, perfect purity, totally without sin. His holiness is a consuming fire to sin, destroying it by His light and life. How wonderfully is the mercy of God toward sinners displayed in Jesus; “He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Think of that; the sinless Son of God took my sin and gave me His righteousness! Is that not the ultimate expression of mercy? It does not compromise God’s holiness, nor did my sin and the sin of the world defile Jesus. He bore it, became sin for us, but His holiness overruled all sin and conquered even the death that sin produces.

The truth of God is that He loves us, even those who ignore, mock, or reject Him. Again, this love is demonstrated in Jesus Christ, the One who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) He could say that because His love opened the way to God . . .  

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6–8)

There are times when my loyalties become divided, when temptation gets the best of me, when sin seems to appear out of nowhere, when I’m thoughtless concerning God and all He has done for me, yet God does not change. He says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) which means that when I falter and make a fool of myself, His justice, mercy, truth, righteousness, grace, forgiveness and all that He is holds on to pull me up and make me stand.

Justice: revenge or vindication?

In our city, a man was angry with his wife, jumped in his car and instead of putting it in reverse, he drove it into the outdoor patio of a restaurant and killed a child. Understandably, the child’s family are crying for justice. They want retribution for their enormous loss with some sort of adequate punishment for this careless man.

Justice is a huge theme in the Word of God. From the blood of Abel in Genesis through each phase of Israel’s history, He deals with those who oppose righteousness. He hears the cries of the downtrodden also, even to the end of Scripture and this world when the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne cry out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:9–10) Not only is God just, He expects us to be the same.

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)

We tend to think of justice as a sort of vengeance, getting or making things even. That is, you steal my sheep and I must give it back, plus one of mine. But the justice of God adds something unexpected. For those who become His people by faith, His justice includes vindication and redemption.

Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider Your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of Your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea. Yet He saved them for His name’s sake, that He might make known His mighty power. He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry, and He led them through the deep as through a desert. So He saved them from the hand of the foe and redeemed them from the power of the enemy. (Psalm 106:7–10)

The justice of God might be retributive, for we are all sinners and deserve it. But His justice can be vindictive to those who are objects of mercy in Christ Jesus. Instead of punishing us, He saves and delivers us because Jesus bore our full penalty, satisfying the justice of God.

… For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins. It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:22–26)

God has every right to send us all as far from Him as He can, even to the pit of hell. We break His commands and shake our fists in His face. Those whose hearts have become distressed about sin may seek salvation on the basis of God’ mercy, yet that would leave justice unsatisfied.

Instead, God in great grace includes retribution for us in the offer of faith in Jesus Christ. This faith includes recognition that full justice has been satisfied at Calvary. Jesus took our punishment for sin. Those who seek forgiveness and salvation realize that in Christ, justice has a far more glorious satisfaction than ever it will have in the damnation of sinners. In punishing sin in Christ, God’s vindictive justice is cleared and vindicated. When He pardons sin through Christ, he is also merciful as well as just.

In the losses of life, I could hang on to vengeance, demand justice, cry for punishment against those who take from me. God could have done the same, but instead sent Jesus to take all that upon Himself. The laws of my country might demand retribution, and so they should. However, for me personally, and because I am a child of faith, I recognize that the price for my sins and any sins against me has already been paid.