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What Does the Bible Say About Justice? – Viral Believer
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What Does the Bible Say About Justice?

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Introduction

Justice is a fundamental concept in the Bible, with numerous references to it in both the Old and New Testaments. As Christians, we are called to seek justice and live justly in our personal and public lives. However, the concept of biblical justice can often be conflated with modern social justice movements.

In this blog post, we will explore what the Bible says about justice, its definition and meaning, the differences between biblical justice and modern social justice, and how we can pursue justice in accordance with biblical principles.

The topic of justice has become increasingly important in recent years, with social justice movements gaining momentum and drawing attention to issues of systemic oppression, privilege, and identity politics.

While these issues are certainly important, it is essential to understand that the concept of justice in the Bible is rooted in God’s character and His desire to see His people live in righteousness and justice. Thus, as Christians, our understanding and pursuit of justice should be grounded in biblical principles and the Gospel.

The Bible provides a rich framework for understanding justice and its place in the lives of believers. In the Old Testament, God’s concern for justice is evident in His commands to the Israelites to “do justice and righteousness,” and in the role of judges and the justice system.

In the New Testament, Jesus’ teachings on justice and righteousness are central to His message, and the early Church placed a high value on justice as evidenced by the writings of the apostles.

Therefore, a deeper understanding of the concept of justice in the Bible is not only essential for Christians but is also critical for a more nuanced and informed conversation about justice in society.

Justice in the Bible

Justice in the Old Testament

The Old Testament lays the foundation for the concept of justice in the Bible. In the Law of Moses, justice is defined as “righteousness” and “fairness,” and it is emphasized that judges must be impartial and make just decisions (Deuteronomy 1:16-17).

God’s concern for justice is also evident throughout the Old Testament, as He repeatedly admonishes the Israelites to “do justice and righteousness” (Jeremiah 22:3).

The role of judges and the justice system is highlighted in the book of Judges, where Israel’s leaders are repeatedly called upon to deliver justice to those who have been wronged. In Judges 4:4-5, we see Deborah, a prophetess, serving as a judge and delivering justice to the Israelites.

In the Psalms, justice is often linked with God’s mercy and compassion, as He defends the cause of the poor and needy and brings justice to the oppressed (Psalm 140:12; Psalm 146:7-9).

In addition to justice in the legal sense, the Old Testament also emphasizes the importance of social justice. For example, in Leviticus 19:9-10, God commands the Israelites to leave the corners of their fields for the poor and needy to glean, and to not reap their fields completely.

This was a way of providing for the poor and ensuring that they had access to food. Similarly, in Deuteronomy 24:14-15, God commands the Israelites to pay their hired workers fairly and promptly.

Justice in the New Testament

In the New Testament, Jesus’ teachings on justice and righteousness are central to His message. He emphasizes that justice is not just a matter of external actions, but also a matter of the heart (Matthew 23:23).

Jesus also calls His followers to care for the vulnerable and marginalized, and to seek justice for those who have been wronged (Matthew 25:31-46).

The early Church also placed a high value on justice, as evidenced by the writings of the apostles. In James 1:27, we are instructed to “visit orphans and widows in their trouble,” and in Galatians 6:10, we are urged to “do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

The apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of justice in Romans 12:19, where he writes that we should not take revenge, but rather leave it to God, who will bring justice.

Biblical Justice vs. Modern Social Justice

It is important to understand that the concept of biblical justice is distinct from modern social justice movements.

While both share a concern for the vulnerable and marginalized, modern social justice often focuses on issues such as systemic oppression, privilege, and identity politics, which are not found in the Bible.

Biblical justice, on the other hand, emphasizes personal responsibility and accountability and is grounded in God’s character and His desire to see His people live in righteousness and justice.

It also recognizes that true justice can only be achieved through the power of the Gospel and the transformation of hearts through Christ.

While modern social justice movements often emphasize collective action and government intervention, biblical justice emphasizes personal responsibility and individual action.

This does not mean that Christians should not be concerned with social and political issues, but rather that our primary focus should be on living justly in our own lives and communities and advocating for biblical principles of justice in the public square.

Furthermore, while modern social justice movements often promote a victim mentality and a focus on individual identities, biblical justice emphasizes the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals as created in God’s image.

This means that our concern for justice should extend to all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or other identity markers.

The Call to Pursue Justice

As Christians, we are called to pursue justice in our personal lives, in our communities, and in the world. Here are some practical ways to pursue justice in accordance with biblical principles:

  • Pray for justice and for those who are oppressed – Psalm 10:17-18 reminds us that God hears the cries of the oppressed, and we can join in their cries through prayer.
  • Care for the vulnerable and marginalized – James 1:27 instructs us to care for orphans and widows, and we can extend this care to all who are vulnerable, such as the poor, the sick, and the oppressed.
  • Speak out against injustice and advocate for those who have been wronged – Proverbs 31:8-9 urges us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to seek justice for the poor and needy and for the unborn.
  • Seek to live justly in our personal and professional lives – Micah 6:8 calls us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. This means that we should seek to live in accordance with God’s principles of justice and righteousness in all areas of our lives.
  • Support organizations and initiatives that promote biblical justice – There are many organizations and initiatives that are working to promote biblical principles of justice, such as organizations that provide assistance to the poor and oppressed or initiatives that seek to promote fairness and equality in the legal system.

Ultimately, our pursuit of justice should be grounded in our relationship with God and our desire to reflect His character in the world. We can trust that God’s perfect justice will ultimately prevail and that He will bring true justice to the world through the power of the Gospel.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bible emphasizes the importance of justice as a fundamental concept for Christians. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we see God’s concern for justice and His desire to see His people live in righteousness and fairness.

While modern social justice movements share a concern for the vulnerable and marginalized, it is important to understand the differences between biblical justice and modern social justice and to pursue justice in accordance with biblical principles.

As Christians, we are called to seek justice and live justly in all areas of our lives. We can do this by caring for the vulnerable, speaking out against injustice, and seeking to live justly in our personal and professional lives.

Ultimately, we can trust in God’s character and His promise to bring true justice to the world through the power of the Gospel.

Let us then pursue justice with humility, compassion, and wisdom, trusting in God’s perfect justice and His desire to see His people live in righteousness and peace.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.