What does it mean that God does justice?
Let’s read Job 37:23 which addresses the topic of justice. “Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.” The Hebrew word used for ‘justice’ is ‘tsedaqah’. This word is used numerous times in the Old Testament and is translated as ‘justice’ (Proverbs 21:3) and as ‘right’ (2 Samuel 19:28). Most often it is translated as ‘righteousness,’ such as in Psalm 11:7, “For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.”
We read in Psalm 145:17, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” It is only proper that the righteous One should act in righteousness in all things. To be righteous is to do the right thing. Every action of the Lord is right for He is righteous. We read in Genesis 18:25, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” The Lord ALWAYS does what is right because His actions determine what is right.
What does that mean to you and me? It means that all that the Lord has declared, He will do. Not only will God not lie, He CANNOT lie. We learn from Titus 1:1-2, “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that CANNOT LIE, promised before the world began.” The Lord’s righteousness prevents Him from lying or doing anything that is contrary to Himself.
We read very plainly in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” When we sin, we earn our proper wages…death. Ezekiel 18:20 says, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” We also read in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” ALL have sinned. ALL have come short of the glory of God. ALL deserve death as the proper payment of our sins. If you will admit that you have sinned, you should understand that because of your sin, you will die an eternal death. This is a promise of a righteous God!
Yet, we also read in Romans 6:23 that, “…the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Instead of giving us what we have earned, the Lord has a GIFT that He wants to give us. ETERNAL LIFE! That gift comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins as payment to God on our behalf. Because God is righteous, He cannot allow sin in His presence. He cannot allow someone who is a sinner into Heaven. He sent His “only begotten Son” to die for our sins so that we can be made fit for Heaven. The Lord Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” This plainly shows us that there is a way to enter Heaven, into God’s presence. That way is through the Lord Jesus. He is the ONLY way, the ONLY truth, the ONLY life.
God, in His righteousness, will save you and grant you access into Heaven if you put your faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. We read in Acts 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” That is the simple way of salvation…faith in Christ, nothing else.
God, in His righteousness, will not allow you into Heaven if you reject His offer of salvation. Revelation 20:15 tells us, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” God is a just and righteous God. Yet, He is also full of mercy and grace. He has provided a way of salvation for you and me. If we accept that way (the Lord Jesus Christ), He will save us. If we reject His offer of salvation, then we will receive the proper wages for our sins…death. John 3:36 says, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” Have you trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior? (380.4)