By: Justin Dillenschneider, Director of Student Life
Week of May 9th, 2022
Justice can be defined as the condition of being morally correct or fair. Thomas Aquinas is quoted as saying “Justice without mercy is cruelty.” God describes himself as just in Exodus 34:6-7; he is abounding in faithful love and mercy but will not leave the guilty unpunished. God’s justice is perfect and unfailing, and yet He sent His own son Jesus to pay the price for the guilt of humanity caused by our own sins. God’s justice provides a path towards forgiveness and redemption. He is long-suffering and merciful, but he will not let sin and evil remain unpunished. The astounding news of the gospel is that Jesus was punished in our place, so that all who believe in Him would be forgiven and have eternal life. In light of this good news, we are commanded to live humbly, to walk in faithful obedience, and to care for the poor, the widow, the sojourner, and all those who are left without proper care. Followers of Christ are to stand against abuse, against corruption, and against the detachment and callousness of the world.
Continue contemplating justice by looking at this week’s scripture readings from:
Proverbs 24:23-25 CSB “These sayings also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment. 24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent”—peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him;25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a generous blessing will come to them.”
Micah 6:8 CSB “8 Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.”
We want to encourage you to have a conversation this week about the virtue of justice.
Consider these discussion prompts together:
- What tempts you to fall into detachment?
- Where have you seen people fall into corruption? Where are you tempted to do so?
- What are some ways you see Christ correcting detached or corrupt behavior in Scripture?
- How do we see the apostles and the early church modeling and celebrating justice in their words and actions?
Hymn to Sing Together: Before the Throne of God Above