What is Justice? Dunn! Dunn!! Dunn!!!🤣🤣🤣
This one right here took a while to figure out 🥵 but we are here now. 😇
Justice is just behaviour or treatment. Justice, for many people, refers to fairness. But while justice is important to almost everyone, it means different things to different groups.
We will be focusing on justice according to the Bible: A Divine Perspective.
Justice is a foundational concept that transcends time, culture, and religion. It is a cornerstone of ethical living and societal harmony. For us Christians, justice holds a central place in our faith and is a concept deeply rooted in the Bible. Let’s explore what justice means according to the Bible, how it is intertwined with God’s character, and the call for us to seek justice in our lives.
The Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments, is filled with verses emphasising the importance of justice. It is a fundamental principle that reflects God’s character. In the book of Deuteronomy, we find a clear articulation: “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.” (Deuteronomy 10:17-18, NIV)
This verse illustrates that God, in His infinite wisdom and perfection, embodies justice by defending the vulnerable, showing no partiality, and acting without bias.
“The Rock, His work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:4).
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.” (Psalm 89:14).
Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute,” (Psalm 82:3).
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, and please the widow’s cause,” (Isaiah 1:17).
“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others,” (Luke 11:42).
Justice as a Call to Action:
For us Christians, the call to pursue justice is explicit. Micah 6:8 states, “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 with your God.”
This verse encapsulates a threefold call to action:
Act Justly: It urges us to actively engage in acts of justice, whether by defending the oppressed, advocating for the marginalised, or seeking fairness in all our dealings.
Love Mercy: Mercy and compassion go hand in hand with justice. In the pursuit of justice, showing mercy is crucial. It means forgiving, extending grace, and showing empathy to others.
Walk Humbly with God: Justice requires humility. Recognising that justice is ultimately in God’s hands keeps us humble and focused on the greater good.
Biblical Stories of Justice:
Throughout the Bible, there are stories that exemplify justice in action. The story of Joseph, wrongly imprisoned but ultimately vindicated, or the parable of the Good Samaritan, illustrating compassion and care for one’s neighbour, showcase the Bible’s emphasis on justice as a lived experience.
The Parable of the Unjust Judge (also known as the Parable of the Persistent Woman) is one of the parables of Jesus that appears in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 18:1–8). In it, a judge who lacks compassion is repeatedly approached by a woman seeking justice. Initially rejecting her demands, he eventually honours her request so he will not be worn out by her persistence.
Conclusion:
Justice, according to the Bible, is not merely a passive idea but a dynamic call to action. It is a reflection of God’s character and a core component of our Christian faith. We are encouraged to actively pursue justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. In this pursuit, we are advised to find not only ethical guidance but also an opportunity to make a positive impact on the world as agents of God’s justice and love.
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