The psalmist said of God, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne” (Ps. 97:2). God’s justice is impartial, “for there is no partiality with God” (Rom. 2:5-11). In such impartiality, He does the right thing – deals justly and rightly with all men. Further, God’s justice makes Him righteous (Ps. 89:14). If God was not just, He could not be righteous! The justice of God is thus an unchangeable product of His very nature.

What Does God’s Justice Demand?God’s justice demands that He give righteous commands and expect them to be followed (Ps. 51:4). In justice, He rewards those who obey His commands (Heb. 6:10; Jas. 1:12). Justice also requires Him to punish those who disobey His commands (2 Thess. 1:6). Some have difficulty reconciling God’s justice with His love and mercy. Yet, note that the punishment of those who disobey Him is just (Rom. 3:5-6, 8).

What Are The Consequences Of God’s Justice?What does God’s justice mean for us? The reality is that “all have sinned” – both you and me (Rom. 3:23). The just consequence of our disobedience to the commands of God is eternal death, to be separated from God in hell (Rom. 6:23). That is what we deserve, as it is what justice demands.

What Can Be Done?Seeing our justly damned state, Paul asked, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” The answer? “I thank God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom. 7:24-25). How? “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood…that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:23-26). By Jesus’ propitiating sacrifice, God was able to remain just while also being the “justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Thanks be to God for his great love and grace!

David Eldridge