"...his work is perfect,

for all his ways are justice.

A God of faithfulness and without iniquity,

just and upright is he."

- Deuteronomy 32:4

What does it mean to say that God is just? The term "justice" is synonymous with righteousness. Theologian Wayne Grudem explains, "God's righteousness means that God always acts in accordance with what is right and is himself the final standard of what is right." The standard for justice or righteousness in human society is defined by our Creator, not by us who are both finite by design and fallen due to sin. We cannot look inside of our own hearts for moral guidance or ethical direction since the human heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9). We can only look outside of ourselves to God himself for such instruction. Furthermore, as Lord of heaven and earth, God will never be subject to our judgment but instead, we are and will be subject to his. 

So what does this mean for your life today? Worship the Lord for his just or righteous character. Give thanks to him for who he is as the definition of what is just or right. Repent or change your mind about what you believe about justice or righteousness and change how you live in light of what God has told us in His Word. The just or righteous punishment for our sins is death (Romans 6:23). But instead of leaving us all to die in our sins for our disobedience to him, God graciously became a human in Jesus Christ to save us. Jesus died as our substitute and fully satisfied the justice or righteousness of God so that we might never have to. Turn from your sins and embrace this free gift by faith. The just God offers you grace today so you might be reconciled to him forever!

For Jesus,

Pastor Mark