A Closed Universe (3)
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand all things. Proverbs 28:5
Justice – Pilate asked one of the truly great questions: “What is truth?” You have a chance to ask another one: “What is justice?” Both questions are answered from the same source. Truth is found in the character of God. It is much more than not lying. It is representing the holiness of God in word and deed. Justice is also found in the character of God. It is mishpat, the Hebrew word that connects truth with action. Justice is the discernment of God’s will and its application to human society.
Old Testament justice has a forensic base. That means it comes from the arena of the court. It is about applying the law. It is connected to the role of the king and the officials. God puts people in these roles in order that His moral order may be exercised in the human community. In particular, the Old Testament considers action toward the poor, the disenfranchised and the afflicted as the best example of justice. That tells us that justice is deeply interwoven with compassion. God puts things right. Where circumstances and situations are not right, God expects those who are under His authority to do all they can to make things right, not according to the way we see things, but according to the way He sees things.
Let’s be clear about this. Justice is not the same as fairness. God is not fair. He is just. God perfectly applies the attribute of moral perfection in every situation. If we followed His direction perfectly, we too could exercise justice without a flaw. But that does not mean that God intends life to be fair. Fair is a measure of the will of human desire. Fair is a term for majority (usually) opinion. When I complain that things aren’t fair, what I mean is that I am not treated the way others are treated. I want to be treated the same. If I were foolish enough to demand that God be fair, I could never experience His forgiveness. Redemption is not fair. It is undue favoritism applied to those who deserve to be treated according to their moral efforts. A doctrine of fairness sends us all to hell.
Fortunately, God is just. He does what is right, in spite of what is fair. He shows compassion instead of wrath. He redeems instead of condemning. He lifts the downtrodden when they do not deserve it. Would you rather that He be fair? Not me. I need justice, the application of God’s love to my unworthy life. Now that I know what justice looks like for me, am I willing to apply it to others? Am I ready to give compassionate benevolence to those who do not deserve it? Will I uphold the character of God by acting with grace and forgiveness? Or will I complain about the fact that life isn’t fair, and in my complaint, deny God’s sovereignty?
