The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading PlanSample

Who God Is

Justice

According to Isaiah, when God shows compassion and justice, he is simply being himself. God’s fervor for justice is a component of his moral perfection; he longs for what is best for his creatures. Similarly, God’s loathing for injustice is a component of his opposition to the destructive effects of unrighteousness. Sin, which can be defined as anything contrary to the character of God, always leads to the pain and degradation of injustice toward others. Righteousness, which may be identified as conformity to God’s character, is exhibited in attitudes and actions of fairness, integrity, truthfulness and honesty toward others. Scripture consistently associates sin with self-centeredness, while justice and righteousness are expressions of other-centeredness.

God’s passion for justice is evident from Genesis through Revelation. The poets and prophets in particular extolled this divine attribute: “The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love” (Psalm 33:5). “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you” (Psalm 89:14). “The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy” (Psalm 111:7). “Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice” (Proverbs 29:26). “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing” (Isaiah 61:8). “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24). Justice was also a prominent concern of Jesus, conspicuous in the manner in which he transcended social, racial and economic barriers in his ministry.

Taken from NIV Leadership Bible