It is easy these days to discover the concept of justice in our political conversations. “Social justice” is a loaded political term. It has been co-opted by politicians and theorists to demand things like redistribution of wealth or reparations.

Christians for decades have debated the propriety of adopting terms like “social justice” for Christian mission and responsibility. The reason for this is quite simple. The Bible addresses the subject of justice quite often. Justice is a key theme in the prophets, especially the minor prophets.

The problem with simply accepting “social justice” language is that it is nebulous and has been adopted by people with all sorts of political agendas. I prefer to use the term “justice.” As God defines it biblically, to do justice is to adopt his preview of rightness and righteousness in our interactions with others.

The Justice Motto: Be kind and pursue justice. 

Justice demands that Christians act in a particular way toward others, especially those in less fortunate situations. Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert argue that “Doing justice, then, implies fairness, decency, and honesty.” (What is the Mission of the Church?, 161.)

The key verse for this value in our home is Micah 6:8.

He has told you, O man, what is good;
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8

Simply put, justice is doing right by and for others. Loving kindness means that we seek to be kind toward others. Kindness demands an other-oriented view and practice of life. We live and act for the good of others.

Justice means that we seek what is right for others whoever they may be. Biblical justice is concerned with the plight of the less fortunate like the widow and the orphan.

The Psalmist writes:

Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
    is God in his holy habitation.
Psalm 68:5

In Isaiah 58:1-14, the prophet calls on Israel to hold a true fast:

“Is not this the fast that I choose:
    to loose the bonds of wickedness,
    to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
    and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
    and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
    and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Isaiah 58:6-7

God cares for the orphans, widows, and those oppressed. God is for justice. But God’s justice is true and faithful. Today’s political language regarding justice automatically sides with the oppressed racially, economically, and socially. God’s view of justice sees beyond the oppression and oppressed paradigm to the heart of sin.

Critical theories that adopt a social justice framework make oppression the most grievous sin. These critical theories see all of human experience through the lens of oppression. The concept of oppression is found in Scripture. Isaiah 58 is just one example. But God does not define justice merely through the lens of oppression. Biblical justice goes far deeper.

The root of injustice is found in sin. God alone is purely just and righteous. As such, he is the only one who can fully and truthfully define sin, righteousness, holiness, and justice. Jesus himself was the recipient of oppression at his trial, suffering, and crucifixion. He took in his own body the judgment and justice for sin. See Isaiah 53 and Romans 3. Our greatest problem then is not injustice in our experience as one oppressed or in our sinfulness as an oppressor. (In many cases, we can be both). Our greatest problem is that we are sinners who have fallen short of God’s standard of righteousness and holiness (Romans 3:23).

To live justly, we first need to accept the mercy and justice offered at the cross. Jesus took the just wrath of God against our sins and offered us mercy in return. This is the transaction of the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:21). It is because Jesus took the just punishment for our sin that we can even discuss biblical justice.

Because we have been made God’s people through his mercy and grace, we should “do justice” as we walk with our God as his people (Micah 6:8).

Takeaways:

• Be kind. Look for ways to give to others, serve others, and offer kindness to others.
• Be just. Do right by others. Fight for the less fortunate. Bend to the fatherless and widows. Work against persons and systems of oppression.
• Give generously. Part of justice is working with organizations (churches and non-profits) who act on behalf of those in poverty or those who have been treated unjustly.
• Foster or adopt. Few acts are as biblically generous as adoption. God through Christ adopted those who were not a part of his family into his family. According to Roman law a biological child could be disowned and disinherited, but an adopted child could not be disinherited. Paul focuses on this theme in Romans 8:15, 23; 9:4. When a family fosters or adopts, that family is modeling the gospel, doing justice, and showing kindness.
• Care for widows and widowers. James 1:27 teaches that pure religion is to care for widows and orphans in their affliction. Christians and churches should care for and comfort those who have been broken through grief and isolation. Showing kindness may simply mean inviting someone out for lunch or coffee, taking a widow a meal, or supporting the programs at your church that care for widows and widowers.
• Support crisis ministries that protect the unborn. Justice is concerned with protecting the vulnerable. Organizations like the Wilkes Pregnancy Care Center stand against abortion by offering services to crisis pregnancies.

In short, consider ways today to be kind, do justice, and walk humbly with your God.

Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash