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Justice is treating people and things in accordance with what they deserve.  It is the opposite of oppression, partiality, corruption, thievery, and deception.  Jesus is deeply committed to a life of justice, confronting the injustices committed by those with power, and responding with protection and compassion to those without it.  Read John 8:2-11 which tells the story of a woman caught in adultery, and Jesus’ response to her, and to the crowd.

Justice is love ruling rightly. (1)  Justice and righteousness are a matter of faith, not merely law, (2) because justice comes from God. (3) This is a comfort to the suffering, and a blessing to the poor, (4) indeed, God detests injustice. (5) Justice will be the basis for the final judgment, (6) and so, we ought to desire it greatly. (7)  Justice is synonymous with righteousness, and includes godliness, goodness, honesty, impartiality, and objectivity.

Righteousness - living in the way that God approves. (8)

Godliness - being like God in character, desire, and action. (9)

Goodness - valuing, desiring, and working towards what is right, beautiful, fair, and honorable. (10)

Honesty - clearly and openly communicating the truth without deceit or secrecy. (11)

Impartiality - treating other people as they ought to be treated without regard for their status. (12)

Objectivity - judging, speaking, and acting towards others without regard for personal gain. (13)

Justice: Giving to God

Jesus treated His Father justly, always giving God honor and service. (14) Will we do justice to God? (15)

Justice: Honoring Others

Jesus treated other human beings with tremendous respect, recognizing that all people are made in God’s image; he did not injure or manipulate, but acted truthfully and honorably toward everyone. (16) Do I treat others with honor and recognize their immense value to God? (17)

Justice: Humbly Taking my Place

Jesus was not motivated by pride, and was perfectly willing to work in anonymity and in the spotlight, to serve and to lead, to challenge authority and accept limitations, because He followed the will of His Father. (18) Do I know my place in relationship to God, the community, and the world I live in? (19)

Justice: Righteous Stewardship

Jesus recognized that all things were made by God. (20) Do I treat the world, and everything in it, as though it actually belonged to God? (21)

Disciplines focused on Justice:

Service

Worship

Generosity

Submission