I am like many people, especially Christians, who are
advocates of justice or social justice. They love the general idea that things
should somehow be right, equitable, or fair. In other words, things should be
just. However, they are not always clear on what that means. So, it is hard to
hang out a specific target at which they should aim.
To offset this lack of clarity, what I want to do in this
post is help us define justice with the outcome that we know what the bullseye
is. To do this I want to set forth seven truths from the Bible that will walk
us through justice.
As a reminder, we are taking this up since this is part of a
series of blog posts titled “Live For A Great Cause, Not A Great Comfort: Move
Toward Need.”[1]
With each post it will become clearer why this title aptly describes where we
are heading in this series.
Here are the seven truths.
1. Justice And
Righteousness Are Closely Related.
This can be seen in a sample of the many places where they
appear together. Consider:
·
“For I have chosen [Abraham], that he may
command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by
doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he
has promised him.” (Gen. 18:19)
·
“You shall not do unrighteousness in [decisions
of justice].” (Lev. 19:15)
·
“Keep justice and do righteousness.” (Is. 56:1)
·
“Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my
ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the
[justice] of their God; they ask of me righteous [and just decisions]; they
delight to draw near to God.” (Is. 58:2)
·
“Justice is turned back, and righteousness
stands far away.” (Is. 59:14)
·
“I am the Lord who practices steadfast love,
justice, and righteousness in the earth.” (Jer. 9:24)
·
“But let justice roll down like waters, and
righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24)
We need to file this truth away and state some others before
its importance is seen. Let’s move on to the second truth.
2. Righteousness Is
That Which Conforms To God’s Character.
We see this in the following biblical texts:
·
“The Lord was pleased, for his righteousness'
sake, to magnify his law and make it glorious” (is. 42:21). Elsewhere in Isaiah
the phrase “for the sake of” is used with the LORD’s
name (37:35; 43:25; 48:9, 11; 66:5), that is for his reputation or glory, to
speak of the purpose for which he does things. Most likely “righteousness”
here, then, speaks of that which conforms to God’s glory, his reputation, or
character.
·
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you
and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account” (Mt. 5:10-11, emphasis added). Here we discover that
being persecuted “for righteousness’ sake” is parallel to being persecuted on
account of Jesus. Righteousness, then is very closely connected to Jesus, the
Son of God, which is a similar truth to what we saw in Isaiah. Righteousness is
that which conforms to the divine reputation or character.
·
“It was to show his righteousness at the present
time, so that he might be [righteous] and the [one who declares righteous] the
one who has faith in Jesus.” (Rom. 3:26) Here we see a key purpose of the cross
of Jesus Christ—it was to declare the righteousness of God, which in the Old
Testament often means he judges sinners who do not repent, and he saves sinners
who do (cf. Pss. 98:2; 132:9, 16; Is. 24:14-16a; 46:13; Zech. 9:9). In other
words, God operates according to his character, his attributes, as an all holy
God who hates sin and yet loves sinners.
The conclusion we come to, then, is that if a person is
righteous or acts righteously, then they conform to what God is like (1 John
3:7-10), i.e. we will be like our Savior (1 John 2:6).
Now on to number three.
3. Justice Is
Righteousness In The Public Square.
In other words, it is righteousness (conforming to the
character of God) in treatment toward and decisions about people. Justice is
righteousness or God-likeness in the public square, which is why righteousness
and justice are so closely linked so often. This is uncovered in the following
texts:
·
“You shall not do unrighteousness in justice-related
decisions. You shall not lift up the face of the poor and you shall not honor
the face of the great. In righteousness you shall make just decisions about
your people.” (Lev. 19:15, my translation)
·
“Justice is turned back, and righteousness
stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness
cannot enter. 15Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a
prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.” (Isaiah
59:14-15)
·
“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint
and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God.” (Luke 11:42)
Here we see the close connection of justice and love (the latter of which is
the summation of the Law or will of God, Mt. 22:37-40). We also know that our
love of others is an imitation of God’s love for us (cf. Mt. 5:43-48; Eph.
5:1-2). Justice, then, consists of actions toward others that are God-like.
The first three truths have set the stage for the fourth.
4. Righteousness And
Justice Are Part Of Who God Is.
God always acts in accordance with his nature (i.e. he is
righteous) and he always acts righteously toward others (i.e. he is just). As
such, God is the origin of and standard for righteousness and justice. We see
this in the following texts:
·
“For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord
of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and
takes no bribe. 18 He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and
loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. (Deuteronomy 10:17-18)
Though not using the word “justice,” this describes God as just.
·
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of
your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” (Psalm 89:14)
·
“For I myself, Yahweh, continually love
justice….” (Is. 61:8, my translation)
·
“Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast
in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man
boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he
understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love,
justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight,
declares the Lord.” (Jer. 9:23-24)
·
Peter, speaking of God the Father, writes: “…who
judges impartially according to each one's deeds…” (1 Pt. 1:17) Though this does not use the word “justice,”
it describes part of what justice is and attributes this to God.
The fifth truth closely follows.
5. Justice is
God-likeness Applied To Relationships And the Public square.
This is seen with clarity in Deut. 10:17-19: “For the Lord your
God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome
God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. 18 He executes justice for the
fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and
clothing. 19 Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land
of Egypt.” Here we see that God is impartial and this is part of justice; God
especially seeks justice for those who are the weakest and most vulnerable; and
God calls his people to do the same in regard to justice. Hence, the doing of
justice is the doing of righteousness, i.e. following God’s lead.
Justice, then, is part of being created in the image of God
and thus called to resemble him and reflect his glory. This helps us to give
detail to what justice will be like. It also sets the table for the sixth
truth.
6. Justice Is
Applying God’s Will To Relationships And the Public Square.
This is true since God’s will reflects his character and
justice is treating others righteously (i.e. in line with God’s character).
We also see this truth stated explicitly. Consider the
following two examples:
·
Isaiah 51:4, in a context of speaking of God’s
future salvation and a good news that will go out (cf. 40:9; 52:7), reads:
“Give attention to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation; for a law will
go out from me, and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples.”
·
Jeremiah 5:4: “Then I said, “These are only the
poor; they have no sense; for they do not know the way of the Lord, the justice
of their God.”
Since justice is treating others in line with God’s
character as revealed in his will, justice means that we will treat others in a
manner that we:
·
Encourage them to prioritize God as above all
people and things, worship him rightly, and not belittle him (Ex. 20:3-7).
·
Do not set them or their desires above God, his
desires, or contrary to his will (20:3-7).
·
Encourage them to find their rest and hope in
God, not us or others, and we do the same toward them (Ex. 20:8-11).
·
Encourage them to preserve the honor and perform
the duties belonging to others who are in authority over them, including
parents (Ex. 20:12). This means that whatever unjust things have happened to
them, we do not encourage them to be lawbreakers or to disrespect authorities.
·
Encourage them not to hurt, hate, or be hostile
toward others, but instead to be patient and peaceful, pursuing even enemies in
love (Ex. 20:13). This means that whatever has happened to them we do not
conclude that the end justifies the means and so they are allowed to retaliate.
·
Encourage them to avoid sexual immorality and to
live purely and faithfully, whether in marriage or single life (Ex. 20:14). As
such, to suggest to someone that cohabitation, adultery, same-sex romantic
relationships, or same-sex marriage are fine and/or just—if one of these is
what they want—would be false and destructive.
·
Encourage them to work, if at all possible, to
earn their living, as well as not to take without permission what does not
belong to them (Ex. 20:15). This means that any welfare programs that
discourage work or any economic systems such as socialism or communism are not truly
just by definition. Additionally, if we employ them, we will pay them what is
owed to them.
·
Encourage them to tell the truth and to treat
others in accordance with truth (Ex. 20:16). This means that we will treat them
impartially if rendering a decision toward them—not favoring them in a way that
gives them preference or that puts them at a disadvantage, will not judge them
in ways that do not match reality (such as merely by the color of their skin), and
we will tell them the truth and treat them in ways that match the truth. See
also Dt. 10:17-18; 1 Pt. 1:17.
·
Encourage them to be content with what God has
done in their lives and with what he has given to them, not envying others, or
resenting what God has given the other persons or to them, and this even while
they may need to stand against injustice (Ex. 20:17).
As can be readily seen, biblical justice is quite different
than what many people today think is justice, especially many who are seeking
for social justice.
7. Justice is What is
Best For All.
Our final truth follows from the reality that justice is
that which conforms to God’s will and the following of God’s will is always
what is best for all involved. Consider these biblical passages:
·
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God
require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love
him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13
and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding
you today for your good?” (Dt. 10:12-13)
·
“Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life;
he who despises his ways will die.” (Prov. 19:16)
·
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his
commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)
Conclusion: A
Definition And The Importance Of Justice
Now that we have looked at the
biblical material for what “justice” is, we can offer this definition: “Justice
identifies the moral standard by which God measures human conduct…[his own
character as reflected in his moral will]…. Biblical justice, therefore, is the
equitable and impartial application of the rule of God’s moral law in society…the
understanding and application of God’s moral law within the social realm,”[2] with the understanding that this justice is
what is best for all.
Now that we know what justice is, it shouldn’t come as a
surprise that justice is a major and importance biblical theme. This is seen by
the following:
·
The frequency of the related words.
“Righteousness” and “righteous” are found 809 times (273 and 536 respectively)
in the English Standard Version. The word “justice” is found 138 times and two
words in the Old Testament that are almost always the same word behind justice
and are related, “judgment” and “judgments” are found another 187 times.
·
“Righteousness” and “justice” are found in key
ethical texts in the Bible. Consider Amos 5:24: “ “But let justice roll down
like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. There is also Micah
6:8: “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?”
Also, in Romans 1:18 we find out why God’s wrath is poured out on mankind: “The
wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all…unrighteousness….”
·
“Righteousness” and “justice” play a key role in
the overall narrative of the Bible, which includes why God created us, what his
purpose is for us, and what redeemed life should look like. When we grasp this,
we come to see that living out righteousness in our relationships and in the
public square (justice) has a great ability to glorify God. This is why Jesus
tells us in Matthew 5:6 that people who are part of the kingdom and genuinely
happy hunger and thirst after righteousness, even to the point of a willingness
to suffer because of it (Mt. 5:10), for they know this results in the
glorification of the Father (Mt. 5:16).
In our next blog post we will look at how righteousness and
justice play a major role in the biblical narrative and how this has great
potential not only for increasing our biblical understanding, but also motivating
us to live on mission.
Joyfully Pursuing Justice With You,
Tom
[1]
This title is taken from John Piper, Bloodlines.
In his Introduction (“William Wilberforce: The Importance Of Doctrine And
‘Coronary’ Commitment”) to Part Two (“God’s Word: The Power Of The Gospel”) he
writes: “One of the ways I think about the aim of this book, and the aim of my
ministry, is that I labor to multiply a certain kind of person—persons who are
committed to live for a great biblical
cause, not a great earthly comfort. Over the years I have tried to wave
this banner: to be a Christian is to
move toward need, not comfort. Christian life means to get up in the
morning and go to bed at night dreaming not about how to advance my comforts
but how to advance some great God-centered cause.” (emphasis added)
[2]
All but the bracketed clause and the last clause of this definition is taken
from Tony Evans, Oneness
Embraced: Reconciliation, The Kingdom, And How We Are Stronger Together (Chicago: Moody,
2011), 260.
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