Alphabetical Attributes of God: Just Ruler
Updated: Mar 29
The alphabetical attributes of God series had been on hold, and is now ready to roll again. This post will cover the justice attribute of God and why this attribute should bring comfort to believers.
Alphabetical Attributes of God: The Comfort of God's Justice
People have probably heard the saying "God is for Himself" and have more than likely questioned how biblically sound it is. God is indeed for Himself, and unlike human nature, His nature is perfect. The fact that God is for Himself gives comfort to the true, born again Christian convert.
"Justice is not an optional product of his will, but an unchangeable principle of his very nature" M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain
God's justice, like His other attributes (both incommunicable and communicable), is eternal and stands forever unwavering. This brings reassurance to a believer's faith while it also brings retribution to nonbelievers. Since God's justice is eternal, so are heaven and hell, as both were created by Him.
God's Legislative and Distributive Justice
The justice of God has been broken down into legislative and distributive categories, explained below by Bible Study Tools.
"His legislative justice is his requiring of his rational creatures conformity in all respects to the moral law. His distributive justice is his dealing with his accountable creatures according to the requirements of the law in rewarding or punishing them." M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain
While God rewards good, He does not overlook sin.
"He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD." (Psalm 33:5, NASB)
"He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun" (Psalm 37:6, NIV).
"Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne" (Psalm 97:2, ESV).
God's justice is not perverted as human judgment can be and endures through all time.
"For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes" (Duet. 10:17, NIV).
"Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25, NIV).
"Now let the fear of the LORD be on you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery" (2 Chronicles 19:7, ESV).
The impartiality of God's Justice
As God is impartial to sin, He calls leaders into position and deals accordingly when justice is perverted (i.e., Saul and Solomon in the Old Testament, and King Herod). Paul states in Romans 3:5-6 that due to the unrighteousness of man, God's perfect justice is made more evident.
"But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world?" (Romans 3:5-6, ESV).
God is also faithful to continuously forgive the transgressions of His followers as they walk with Him. This is different than first becoming converted. When someone becomes a Christian, they become justified in Christ and are sealed for an eternity. However, Christians are not sin free. They are free from sin's power, but the human nature still exists. The flesh is still present. Sanctification is the ongoing purification process so to speak of Christ molding His followers to be more like Him.
The Greek word hagiasmos is translated as "sanctification," meaning "holiness." Therefore, it is the process by which God molds His believers. For more on sanctification, see Bible Study Tools at their article "Sanctification."
1 John 1:9 is often quoted as a justification verse, but it is actually a sanctification verse as John is talking to believers, and not nonbelievers.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9, NIV).
God's Law Represented through Human Justice
In the Old Testament, there are several mentions of monarchy. The King would be the final arbiter of justice. Due to human nature, kings were warned about injustices. See the below scripture references.
2 Samuel 8:15
Proverbs 16:10, 20:8
1 Kings 10:9
Jeremiah 21:12
Micah 3:1-3
The American court system was founded on the principles of God's justice. However, human systems can be easily corrupted. When followed correctly, a "fair and equal trial" represents the impartialty of God and how God sees sin in black and white as those in the judicial system must not condemn the innocent but punish the guilty, or face the wrath of God if this is perverted.
Previous publications:
American Gospel
Attributes of God: Honorable Lord
Spiritual Lamentation
Letter D: Deliverer
Faithful King
Below is a sermon by Matt Chandler entitled "God is for God" as he speaks against errors in Elevation Church led by Steven Furtick