Reflection: Justice and Righteousness
Both justice and righteousness are born in the character of God, and they are his desire for mankind. God has declared that he made man and woman in his image and therefore each person has inherent dignity. This inherent dignity makes all people worthy of love. The Bible says, “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24).
As Christians, we are called to do acts of compassion and acts of justice, but sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between them. Compassion is showing kindness for another person while justice is an action that creates a change that makes things fairer in our community or world.
Because justice is rooted in the love of God, it is connected to the gospel. In light of the gospel, justice and righteousness matter, because the well-being of men and women, valued and loved by God, matters. It matters to see all people through the same lens as their righteous Maker. Relieving their pain and suffering matters and flows from his love.
We are therefore called to not just share his love verbally but to show his love in selfless sacrifice. Rooted in God’s love, we as God’s people are called to love our neighbours as ourselves, as our Saviour did.
Prayer:
Oh Lord our God, creator of heaven and earth, I thank you for being the just God. I thank you for surrounding your people with peace which surpasses all understanding. Thank you for moving the hearts of your people to establish peace, justice and righteousness in the earth. I pray that justice and righteousness will prevail in our nations, homes, workplaces, churches, schools and communities. Amen.