Today we moved from the incommunicable traits of God to the communicable traits. Communicable traits are those that we can imitate God in. We have a standard of right and wrong because of who God is. Knowing that we are made in His image, we innately have an understanding of what justice is all about. That said, our history is littered with injustice because the heart of man in wicked and in need of Christ.

Psalm 33:5 says, “He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.” Righteousness and justice is followed by steadfast love. They all go together, and this causes God’s majesty to be magnified.

Psalm 89:14 shows us that God has provided a way for us to approach Him. Faithfulness and love come in the form of Jesus.

Deut 32:4 …for all His ways are justice…just and upright is He.

Gen 18:25 shows us a conversation between Abraham and God as Abraham is pleading for the people of Sodom. He asks God, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?

Righteousness and justice are connected. Righteousness is moral rightness. God is the definer of righteousness. Justice is the action of the one who is righteous. That means if God is righteous, it is imperative that He punish sin. We, as the created, have a dark heart. We are dead in sin, and our only hope is The Righteous One…Jesus.

Romans 3:23-26 is key! It shows us who God is and what He did to show His Righteousness.

God’s justice sets us free…

To Worship – We know the character of the One we worship. He is consistent in who He says He is and how He judges.

To Rest – There is so much pain and injustice in the world. Thankfully, we know that Jesus is the Righteous One, and there will come a time where all things will be made right. Rest in God’s sovereignty. He will be just with all.

To live justly – mishpat can be referred to as:

1. retributive justice – punishment for the offender

2. restorative justice (this is much more common) – speaking up for those that have had an injustice done against them.

To live that way, we need to dwell on the right things, and then act of them! Philippians 4:8-9