God is Just

Often in our world, when some say, “I want justice,” they mean they want the wrong doer punished. Yet God’s justice is deeply embedded in his love and relationship with his creation.

Psalm 89:14

For each of us, this life matters in the choices we make.

In Psalm 89, it is a song about centering on God’s promise to David, that from his descendent He will establish a throne forever. A pointing to the Messiah. In Psalm 89:14:

Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.

In love, God is bound to his creation. In love he has provided a way of atonement and reconciliation for his creation. And in justice, he seeks to restore all to himself.

The Old Testament word for justice is Mishpat, encompassing fairness, equity, the righting of wrongs, and protecting the vulnerable, (poor, widows, orphans and refugees). It is more than punishment of those who do wrong, but at its heart it is restorative, a bring back of right relationship.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 6:23)

God is just, seeking to reconcile us back to him through His greatest act of love, the coming of Christ. And if we know Jesus as our saviour, justice has been fulfilled. Our debt has been paid and new life given. Therefore, we are called to act with justice. To lift up the poor, to help the vulnerable, to care for the orphan. These acts of justice come because we have been saved by the gracious act of love that has gone before.

Christ will come again as judge to finally end all evil. To bring to fulfillment justice by removing evil and Satan and establishing a new and restored heaven and earth.

For each of us, this life matters in the choices we make. Come to Christ, find this restoration with your creator, and live a life of justice and love by lifting up those who are vulnerable, and sharing the gift of the gospel.

God bless

Pastor Stephen