God's Idea of Justice
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
I John 4:19-21, Matthew 9:35-38
19 We love because God loved us first. 20 But if we say we love God and don't love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don't love the people we can see? 21 The commandment that God has given us is: “Love God and love each other!”
I John 4:19-21
35 Jesus went to every town and village. He taught in their synagogues and preached the good news about God's kingdom. Jesus also healed every kind of disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them. They were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, “A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. 38 Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in.”
Matthew 9:35-38
Memory Verse
Micah 6:8
8 The God has told us what is right and what he demands: “See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.”
Imagine that you see someone being bullied. Do you just watch, or turn away, or do you try to help the person being bullied? Maybe somebody steals your homework. How would you react? How does God want you to respond? What is God’s idea of justice?
In today’s verse, God tells us very clearly how he expects his children to act and think.
Act justly. This simply means “do the right thing.” We do not decide what is right and wrong; God does. The Bible describes God as just and upright. We can identify what is right or wrong by simply asking, “What does the Bible say?” We should pray and then try to help someone who is being bullied, perhaps by telling an adult. If we follow God’s Word, we will always act justly.
Love mercy. Mercy is looking for ways to be kind and to give people a break. God wants us to love doing this! He wants us to help people with their needs and be compassionate with those who treat us poorly (like stealing our homework), rather than trying to punish them for being bad. In the Bible, Jesus repeatedly shows us how to live a life full of mercy.
Walk humbly with your God. The only way to act more like Jesus and love more like Jesus is to learn more about Jesus. We walk with God by talking with him in prayer, hearing his voice through the Bible, and obeying what he says.
Injustice happens when people don’t follow God’s instructions about how to treat people. How can you respond to injustice? Ask God to change the situation. If there is something you can say or do to improve the situation, do it. Show people what God is like by treating them the way he would treat them.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, help me to see people the way you see them. Help me to love people the way you love them. Help me to treat people the way you treat them. In your name I pray. Amen.Related Resources
Jason Perry
Jason Perry serves as the Co-Pastor of Living Springs Community Church (Glenwood, IL). He is also the founder and director of Oak Tree Leadership which creates resources for professional and leadership development. He has been married to the love of his life, Dr. Sharon Perry for 33 years. He is the very proud father of 2 young adults: Daughter Jasa, (26) a mental health professional and Son Jaron, (23) a US Air Force Airman.