Justice is a big deal to God.
In fact, God had a warning for people who thought just doing “religious” acts would give them a free ride to heaven.
“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 (ESV)
To do justice.
God requires it of people who want to please him.
Entering the Promised Land
Before the people of Israel entered the Promised Land, God gave them specific instructions on how to live. One of the areas God emphasized was justice.
“You shall appoint judges … and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 16:18-20 (ESV)
While these commands were given to Israel, the principles of impartial justice remain critical for any society that seeks righteousness.
Justice, Only Justice
In case you haven’t noticed, “justice” seems to be in short supply in our world today.
How often have you heard a news story that talked about Clinton judges, or Bush judges, or Obama judges, or Trump judges, or Biden judges?
If the goal is “justice, only justice,” what difference does it make who appointed the judge?
The fact that prosecutors often “judge shop” — seeking a judge likely to favor their case — proves how easy it is to identify partiality in our legal system.
This suggests that, in many cases, justice is no longer the goal of our legal system.
Consider the warning God gave to the people of Israel.
“Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
Deuteronomy 16:20 (ESV)
Will God let us live in the land He has given us if we choose to pervert justice?
Pray that God will move the hearts of the judges in our nation to do justice and only justice.
But justice isn’t just the responsibility of judges. It starts with us. Will we be people who do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God?
Before I go, I’d like to share a blessing with you from the Old Testament.
“May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 (The Living Bible)
Until next time … be the reason someone smiles today