God Is Just
Open Your Bible
Exodus 34:5-7, Psalm 146:5-9, John 5:19-30, Romans 2:1-11, Revelation 20:11-12
BY She Reads Truth
God is righteous. He is the standard for all that is just and fair.
We are often unsure what to make of our just God. But His righteousness can and should be cause for celebration, a source of immense comfort in a world where earthly justice falls short.
We ache for justice when we experience the ramifications of sin, both on a personal and a systemic scale. When someone or something we love is violated, wounded, or broken, we don’t respond with indifference—we cry out, demanding accountability. If we, with our limited perspective, are so affected by injustice, how much more does God demand justice when His standard of what is good is not upheld?
God loves more deeply and thoroughly than we could ever imagine. He loves perfectly. When proclaiming Himself to Moses, God says He is “a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished” (Exodus 34:6–7).
God’s understanding of guilt is also perfect, because He is all-knowing, holy, and infinite. He has no statute of limitations. He is not swayed by false testimony or inconclusive evidence. He is the perfect witness, who searches and knows every heart, every intention, every action (Job 28:24; Psalm 69:5). He is “faithful forever, executing justice for the exploited,” even when our lives are not long enough to see it (Psalm 146:6–7).
Unlike what we experience from one another on earth, God is not faulty or vindictive. He does not overlook sin, nor does He demand more than what is just. This is good news, because we are not only victims of sin and injustice; we are also perpetrators. And yet the steep price our guilt demands is a price Christ already paid on the cross. And “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Jesus tells us He has been given the right to pass judgment, and that He gives life to those who hear His Word and believe it (John 5:24). Our just Judge is also our Savior. He alone can mend the brokenhearted and offer hope to the unrighteous.
30 thoughts on "God Is Just"
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way too often I’m too quick to judge and harden my heart to others- the reality is that I am no better than the next person, and I (just like everyone else) need to admit my sins and move on from them to strengthen my relationship with Him. He is love, and He is fair, and He loves me so much that He is there to help me move past the things that pull me away from Him.
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I am happy that we don’t have to fight for justice, our God does that for us.
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Kari,
In response to your confusion, I understand your point. The way I have made sense of this is that God has executed justice for every exploited person, and the price is either paid by man or by Jesus. The weight and cost of sin is not diminished by Jesus dying on the cross, he paid the full price for that injustice that would otherwise be paid by man. This understanding has opened my eyes to the great magnitude of what Jesus accomplished by dying on the cross. I hope this helps! -
I am comforted that his Justice is fair
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I feel very confused after this one!
We say in one sentence: “He is “faithful forever, executing justice for the exploited,” even when our lives are not long enough to see it.”
But then in another sentence: “And yet the steep price our guilt demands is a price Christ already paid on the cross. And “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Does this mean God only executes justice for the exploited if the person exploiting them is not Christian? Thank you to anyone who can help! I’ve always been lost on this subject, but I feel even more confused now!!
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This reading made me feel a little uncomfortable to be honest. I’m still new to the faith and I haven’t gotten over my fear of death. I can’t even talk about it without being sent into a panic attack. I pray that the Holy Spirit can help me.
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Sin is a serious thing and God is a serious God but when you know Jesus and choose to follow him , it should be an encouragement more then panic inducer. We are made to know God and make Him know and when you follow Jesus, you are compelled to follow and become more like him. We will still sin and God brings conviction to our hearts but God’s grace is sufficient for us. Don’t forget God’s other attributes! He’s not only a Just God but a God of mercy and grace and faithfulness and goodness! When we know Jesus, death is something to look forward to because we will forever be with our savior. I will be praying that you fee encouraged today!
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Shawn, All that you write resonates so deeply with me this week. I know I was called into education as my mission field but the day to day challenges are immense. I have been daily meditating on Ephesians 4:1-3. I even put it up on the wall by my kitchen table so when I eat breakfast I am reminded of my calling with kids and parents. What a blessing to know that all the judging of motives and hearts and actions is up to God and not us. Take care!
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