Justice vs Fairness

This is WEEK 27 of the Character Development Series I am doing for 2012.  So glad you stopped by!

I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever. -Thomas Jefferson

Justice is the set and constant purpose which gives every man his due. -Marcus Tullius Cicero

“My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?” ― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Justice means:
1. Upholding moral rightness in action or attitude
2. Conformity to truth, fact, or sound judgement.

Synonyms for Justice:  due process, lawful, truth, legal, ethical
Antonyms for Justice:  illegal, unethical, unjust

What the Bible says about Justice:
Psalm 11:7 For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.
Psalm 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.
Proverbs 31:9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Isaiah 56:1 This is what the LORD says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Examples From The Bible:
King Solomon judged wisely when 2 mothers claimed the same baby (1 Kings 3: 16 – 28)
Sodom and Gomorrah: judged and punished by God (Genesis 18)
Ananias and Sapphira: struck dead in judgement by God (Acts 5)

The Example of Jesus to Us:
Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law: justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Matthew 25:31-46 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.  All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Matthew 7:12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:4  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?

Personal Thoughts and Application:
There are many kinds of  ”justice” talked about today such as criminal justice, legal justice, contractual justice, etc.  The most important justice, however, is HOLY JUSTICE and that does not always equate with man’s idea of fairness.  Fairness is what is equally distributed to men just by virtue of their existence.  But justice considers what a man deserves and how he measures up to a just standard.  God is a holy god.  Without a standard of holiness, there is no right or wrong, no fair or unfair, no absolute justice or injustice.  The “Law” was given to us to teach us of God’s standards of holiness.  Not that we, mere fallen humans, can ever reach that standard of holiness.  Justice for us means eternal separation from God, because if we can not be holy then we can not enter God’s presence.  What a sad and tragic circumstance for humanity.
But, wait…..Not only is God holy, he is LOVE….and his love for humanity is deeper than the deepest ocean and wider than the expanse of the universe.  He desired for man to be reconciled to Him, and yet….He is holy, and his holiness demands justice.  And that my friend is where grace comes in,  for out of his abundant love and grace, he sent the only perfect substitute to pay the penalty for our sins …His own beloved Son.  The free gift of God, my friend is that payment has been made.  Justice has been met through Jesus, and YOU can be reconciled to God by accepting that gift.

Prayer for You: May you seek to understand God’s standards of holiness and justice.  May you have a grateful heart as you realize the significance of a Holy God who would send His beloved Son to pay the penalty and satisfy the demands of justice on your behalf.  May you treat others and champion the cause of others in keeping with God’s standards of holiness and justice.

Additional Reading:

http://hollylisle.com/fairness-vs-justice/

http://justreality.org/2011/02/18/justice-vs-fairness/
http://thoughtsofatheophile.blogspot.com/2010/09/fairness-vs-justice.html
http://www.charactercouncil.org/resources/biblicalstudies/Justice.pdf

About these ads