Justice

How do you define Justice?

Justice is one of the hardest things to talk about today. We all expect justice, but we expect justice as we define it. And the more we dive into the topic of justice the more it becomes confusing.

Wikipedia defines justice in 7 ways:

1. Distributive Justice

2. Environmental Justice

3. Occupation Justice

4. Open Justice

5. Organizational Justice

6. Poetic Justice

7. Social Justice

We can certainly attempt a definition for each type of justice listed above, but to save time, we will simply define Justice as per Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

Definition of Justice:

The maintenance or administration of what is just, especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments.

the quality of being just, impartial, or fair

conformity to truth, fact, or reason: CORRECTNESS

The Hebrew word Justice appears Over 400 times in the Old Testament.

What is continuously interesting is that God is defined as a Loving Father and a Just God. However, it is clear that God’s words and the world's desires do not line up.

Read Micah 6:8

Micah 6:8 (NASB95)

He has told you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justice, to love kindness,

And to walk humbly with your God?

What does the Lord require of you? To do Justice, to love kindness, and to talk humbly with your God.

1 Peter 2:11 calls us to be strangers in this world.

The Bible tells the things that are valued highest by the world should not be the things we value

Read 1 Corinthians 1:28-31

1 Corinthians 1:28–31 (NIV)

God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Jesus Christ has brought us wisdom . He has brought us righteousness, holiness, and redemption.

Romans 4:25 says what? Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

We are the only thing standing between ourselves and justification in Christ.

It is easy to look outwardly and point out other people's shortcomings. But it is difficult sometimes to recognize our own shortcomings:

Read Matthew 7:5

Matthew 7:5 NASB95

“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Does this mean we can’t protect ourselves against others trying to justify sinning and dragging us into sin? Of course not!

Let's read the whole portion of Matthew 7:1-6

Matthew 7:1–6 NASB95

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

The first part of the passage warns us against judging. It also reminds us that we must examine ourselves when judging others. But the last part of that passage brings to light an interesting dilemma. On the one hand, Jesus is telling us not to Judge. On the other hand, he is telling us to make a judgment call.

Thoughts?

Jesus and “judging” others

Jesus says in Matthew 24:4

Matthew 24:4 (NIV)

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.

Jesus says in Matthew 24:24

Matthew 24:24 (NIV)

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

Who are the elect? God’s chosen people.

Jesus points out how to make good “judgment” calls about people in Matthew 7:15-20

Read Matthew 7:15-20

Matthew 7:15–20 NIV

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

How will you recognize false prophets/teachers? By their fruit. How will false prophets/teachers appear to you? They will appear as believers (disguised in sheep's clothing but inwardly being ferocious wolves).

Bonus: What are the fruit of the spirit? Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.

If someone is leading you further from these things, you are responsible for protecting yourself from them!

Sometimes to seek God’s justification for us we need to run from those who tempt us to fall away from Christ Jesus. Who justifies us.

How do we do this?

We seek justice, holding true to the Word of God as God intended it.

We love kindness, seeking to examine ourselves in the Light of the Word, and correcting ourselves as necessary.

And finally, we walk humbly with our God, allowing God to be God while trusting His good, and justified word.