The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Lydia S. during the 2011-2012 League.

Mission: Research on Justice

"For the Lord is a God of justice." (Isaiah 30:18b, NIV) This Bible verse, among others, attests to the fact that God is just and that He loves justice (Psalm 33:5 and Isaiah 61:8, for example). Creation reflects God's just nature: the world requires justice in order to function properly. Thus, the Bible contains numerous commands that we, God's creatures, exhibit justice in our dealings with others.

"'This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right...'" (Jeremiah 22:3a, NIV) God requires us to be just (Micah 6:8, Zechariah 7:9, Deuteronomy 16:20, Leviticus 19:15, and Isaiah 1:17). But God does not merely command us to be just—He promises that we will be blessed if we are just (Psalm 106:3). On the other hand, God declares that those who are unjust will be followed by woe (Isaiah 10:1-2). God is clear about the importance of justice in the world: He requires us to exhibit justice in all things.

Along with His injunctions that we be just, God includes many guidelines about justice in the Bible. God requires all rulers to be just to their people (2 Samuel 23:3-4 and Ezekiel 45:9). We must show justice to all, even aliens in the land (Deuteronomy 27:19). The Bible contains references to justice in specific situations such as in executing judgement (Deuteronomy 16:18 and Jeremiah 21:12), in buying and selling (Leviticus 19:36 and Deuteronomy 25:15), in relation to the poor (Proverbs 29:14 and Proverbs 31:9), in relation to the fatherless and widows (Isaiah 1:17), and in relation to servants (Colossians 4:1)*. The Bible explains that bribes impede justice, compromising the ability of the judge to make unbiased decisions (Exodus 23:8). Thus, the Bible is an invaluable guide to us as we seek to be just, offering us much specific direction in the area of justice.

While God is clearly a just God, He is also merciful: "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." (Psalm 103:8, KJV) This seems to be a contradiction within God's nature—how can He be just (giving the verdict that is deserved) and merciful (overlooking a sin in compassion) at the same time? The two traits seem to be opposites!

In truth, God's nature is not compromised: He is fully just, and He is fully merciful. But how is this possible—how can He can be both? It is possible because of a magnificent gift.

The sin of mankind had to be punished. In His mercy, though, God did not punish man, but sent His Son to take the unavoidable punishment in the place of man. Thus, the deserved verdict was given in that Jesus was punished for the crime (justice), but man was pardoned for his sin and was given a chance to live (mercy). Thus, both God's justice and His mercy were exhibited through this one astounding event. Through this wonderful gift to man, God confirmed that He is both just and merciful.

God is just. God wants us to be just. Through numerous commands in the Bible, God encourages us to treat each other fairly and honestly. God's word provides us with much specific guidance to help us in our endeavors to be just. As Christians, it is always our goal to be more like God; God's justice is a major trait of His that we must try to imitate. As we strive toward God's standards of justice, we can pray as Solomon did, "'So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?'" (1 Kings 3:9, NIV) God will help us to be just, if we ask Him to: He loves us and will help us if we honestly strive to be more like Him.



*The categorization of these verses was taken from http://www.bible-topics.com/Justice.html.