If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Go to the source! Discover what the Bible says about …
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Introduction
Everyone wants justice and righteousness though we live contrary to them ourselves! Even as children we live contrary to them. One of our concerns is for God to demonstrate these values in the world. .
God is both righteous and just. His righteousness and justice go beyond the superficial. We want to see justice and righteousness everywhere, except with ourselves. There, we want mercy! The Lord loves and values everyone. We are his children, so his righteousness and justice are tempered by mercy for all, though it cost Him dearly.
Bible Zone
This zone looks at three passages.
- God’s Justice - God deals with wicked and looks after the oppressed.
- Our doubts - Though God is doubted, He justice comes through..
- Pray for Authorities - We have a part in seeking justice by prayer.
Let us see how the looks at Psalm 68:1-6 to see God’s view of injustice; how in His time He will bring it about. It is written by David, who for no fault of his own, was persecuted by a wicked ruler.
- How are the enemies of God described? (The wicked are people who manipulate their own will.)
- Which groups of people is God concerned about ?
- How does God intervene? (When power is exercised in humility be prepared to be surprised!)
Psalm 68:1-6 1 Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies. Let those who hate God run for their lives.
2 Blow them away like smoke. Melt them like wax in a fire. Let the wicked perish in the presence of God.
3 But let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God's presence. Let them be filled with joy.
4 Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the LORD— rejoice in his presence!
5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
6 God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
There was a time when I found myself on the wrong side of God’s justice - the story.
Many look out and say “These are nice words, but I don’t see it”. There are a number of reasons for this, I will not give one answer here, but some hints (try this link - suffering). Habakkuk was a prophet who asked this question -
- What is Habakkuk’s complaint to God?
- What similarities are there today?
- When God deals with issues, what kind of people does He use?
Habakuk 1:2-8 2 How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! "Violence is everywhere!" I cry, but you do not come to save. 3 Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. 4 The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.
5 The LORD replied,
"Look around at the nations; look and be amazed!* For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it. 6 I am raising up the Babylonians,* a cruel and violent people. They will march across the world and conquer other lands. 7 They are notorious for their cruelty and do whatever they like. 8 Their horses are swifter than cheetahs* and fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their charioteers charge from far away. Like eagles, they swoop down to devour their prey.
In a world of injustice people think, God does not care, or He does care but is powerless to act. It is hard to see what God is doing because of a simple view of God and the world around us. Wickedness exists in everyone. Can a holy God support those who bring about good through evil? We assume that God in hating evil, hates those who do evil. God who is our Father, is also Father of those who do evil. He desires to restore. He is patient with everyone. God looks first for reconciliation. Paul’s letter Timothy is illuminating.
- What does Paul pray for authorities who oppressed Christians?
- What could happen if God worked in these authorities lives?
- How does God view people?
1 Timothy 2:1-5 1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.3 This is good and pleases God our Savior,4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.
RIGHTEOUS AND JUST
