EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the last article in the “Justice looks like …” special series in the Voices column. Readers have had the opportunity to consider justice from numerous viewpoints. The series is based on each writer’s understanding of Scripture and relationship with Jesus Christ. Writers present their own views independent of any institution, unless otherwise noted in their bios.
You are encouraged to listen to each writer without prejudgment. Then, engage in conversation with others around you about what justice looks like to you.
Click here for more information about the series. Click here to read the full “Justice looks like…” series.
The greatest problems with Christianity today are people who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and deny him by their lifestyle and people who have reduced God to a political party.
God is not a Republican or a Democrat. He is the King of the universe. All true authority belongs to him, and he is not handing out wholesale endorsements to either party, because there are unbiblical positions both parties promote. He is equally concerned about those issues.
Injustice exists in American Christianity for two main reasons. First, the love of a political party trumps God’s command to love our neighbor. Second, society has taken a side for righteousness or justice with one outweighing the other.
Righteousness underlies justice
Righteousness is the underlying principle of justice. Without righteousness, there can be no justice.
Justice is the application of righteousness. In God’s kingdom, righteousness and justice always must be found side by side without tilting either way.
Psalm 89:14 says righteousness and justice come from God’s throne. You never choose righteous or justice. They always must walk side by side.
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Choosing one over the other has led to the great divide among believers. Look no further than the following:
• Christians using divisive language on social media platforms, telling us we can’t be Christian if we don’t vote for a certain party.
• Christians believing God prioritizes and only is concerned about the life of unborn babies, but not babies, children, teens and adults outside of the womb.
• Christians claiming to be pro-life while putting the economy over humanity and or not being willing to wear a mask, social distance or otherwise sacrifice during the pandemic to save a life.
• Christians trying to legislate morality through the courts and city ordinances, instead of obeying Jesus’ instruction in the Great Commission to teach his commands (Matthew 28:16-20) or to love as he commanded in the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40).
God wants us to be right with him, and he also wants us to be right with each other. Whenever we choose between the two, we miss the heart of God.
Justice is individual and communal
Justice, as defined with righteousness, is not restricted to the role of legal institutions. Justice is concerned with restoring harmony to the community. It involves acting for community members and against oppressors. It tries to improve situations, rather than simply giving out what people deserve. It struggles to create wholeness where currently there are pressing needs.
An illustration of such justice appears in Job 29:7–25. Job describes how he “put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban” (29:14). He did this by rescuing the poor and the fatherless; comforting the dying; supporting widows; helping the blind, lame and needy; serving as an advocate of the stranger; and opposing those who would take advantage of others (29:12–13, 15–17).
Biblical justice actively pursues the welfare of the community and the individuals in it. It is the responsibility of Christians and the church, not merely the judiciary.
Justice consists of concrete actions of caring. It moves beyond written laws and ordinances to address weakness, poverty and inequities of every kind. This is what justice has in common with righteousness.
Righteousness can be described as virtue in action, or the intent to do what is right. It refers to the quality of relationships between individuals. Justice in its parallel meaning addresses both the victim and the situation that created the need; righteousness draws attention to the character of the helper.
Justice and righteousness are inseparables
“Keep justice, and do righteousness, for my salvation is about to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who lays hold on it; who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil” (Isaiah 56:1-2 NKJV).
Isaiah’s message is consistent in theme and tone. He preaches social justice and personal righteousness as the proof of salvation. The very fact Isaiah reversed the terms from an earlier prophecy and put justice ahead of righteousnessreinforces the inseparability of the two.
Whether justice or righteousness comes first in Isaiah’s listing is incidental to the fact they are inseparable. You cannot have one without the other or promote one at the expense of the other.
Justin Lawrence is professor of justice administration and legal studies, the Title IX administrator and associate dean of the School of Behavioral and Social Science at Wayland Baptist University.
Click here to read the full “Justice looks like…” series.
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