Many of us have feelings and opinions regarding how the justice system in this country is exercised. Why does it seem that the innocent have little or no rights when compared to the “accused”? Why does it seem that the burden of proof seems to rest heavily upon those seeking justice instead upon those who should prove innocence? I am not trained in the discipline of being a lawyer and I think most times lawyers are misrepresented by the jokes and innuendos that accompany that discipline. But what happens when we take our presuppositions and prejudices regarding the justice system of this nation and apply them to our understanding of God?
Why is the topic of justice (when it comes to the justice of God – or, when God exercises his justice), why is it so hard to deal with? Why do most people choose to disregard or downplay this topic? Is it relative to the Christ-follower today? In an age where the attributes of love, mercy, compassion are lifted up, is there no room for the attribute of justice? Is it left to the biblical history of the Old Testament, never to be raised again?
So many questions. Too many hard answers. Maybe that’s why we would rather look the other way or change the channel or shift radio stations when the view of justice is brought up. Maybe it’s not culturally significant any more. Maybe our post-modernistic approach to authority and absolutes affects our tolerance and/or ignorance of sin. Ouch.
What do us as Christ-followers mean when we talk about God’s justice? Is it closely related to his holiness and righteousness or is it an action pouring out of his jealousy and anger? To whom or to what is it primarily directed? Will God’s justice always prevail? How can God be a judge? It is easy to understand how God could judge those whom we deem as “bad” people, but what those whom we deem as “good”. (I can think of some people who don’t follow Christ who act in a more consistent and “good” manner than those who claim to follow Christ.)
Maybe the key to understanding God’s justice lies within trying to understand who God really is? What would happen if you took the time to find out more about God’s justice? Would you even do it? Or would you be too afraid of what you might find out? Maybe we’re afraid that if we do the legwork we might find that our reasons for avoidance of this topic are real. Maybe it’s about the spot light that will shine on our own life. On our own minds, attitudes and actions.
Too many questions? I hope that this raises more questions. I hope it raises more than just questions. I hope that it raises eyebrows, concerns even tempers. Maybe then we (and I include myself) will take the time to understand more about God than trying to get more from God.
Until then…check out Romans 3:9-26 & Micah 6:1-8 & Romans 5:1-11
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