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Meaning
Righteous/Just: God embodies the standard of what
is morally right and consistently acts in accord with
his perfect and holy character.
"The justice of God is the righteousness of
God in action" (Bruce Demarest).
Biblical Testimony
Key passages: Ex. 34:6-7; Is. 5:20, 23; Dt. 32:4;
2 Chr. 12:6; Ps. 11:7.
- Abraham speaks of God’s character as righteous
and fair, Gen. 18:25.
- Isaiah writes that God alone declares what is right,
Is. 45:19.
- Read Jer. 9:23. What are three things we often turn
to for help in times of trouble?
- Read Jer. 9:24. Instead of turning to our own resources
in troubled times, who are we to turn to?
- God is fair. He is not partial or unjust in his judgments.
He shows absolute justice to each person, 2 Cr. 19:7;
2 Sam 22:26-28; Job 34:11-12; Ezek. 18:20; Rom. 2:6-11;
1 Pt. 1:17.
- God rewards righteousness, Ps. 58:11; 62:12; Pr. 19:17;
25:21-22; Jer. 17:10; Eph. 6:8.
- Because God is righteous and just, he punishes unrighteousness,
Ps. 7:11; 2 Pt. 2:4-9; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 2:2-3.
- God rewards the faithful and punishes the wicked.
If there were no reward for righteousness, or punishment
for wickedness, morality would not count for much
and hell would just be an empty threat, Pr. 10:16;
Rev. 20:11-15.
- God’s justice isn’t always immediately obvious
to us, Jer. 12:1; Ps. 73.
- Yet, God hears the cries of his people and will set
the record straight in the end. Lk. 18:1-8; Acts 17:31;
2 Thess. 1:6.
Practical Implications
- Describe a time when you didn’t think your circumstances
were fair. How did you respond? Did you blame God?
- Read 1 Pt. 2:20b-23. What was Jesus’ response
to unjust suffering?
- In our secular society where morals and truth claims
are said to be relative and not absolute, how can
it help you to know there is a God who is the standard
of what is right and true?
- Read Mic. 6:8; Jer. 22:3. In what tangible way(s)
can you begin to implement God’s justice in your
family, neighborhood, community, job, etc.?
- Read Jm. 1:20; 2:21, 25; 5:16. How does James describe
a righteous person?
- Read 2 Cor. 5:21. What is your true standing before
God as a believer?
- Read Rom. 1:17; 3:21-26. How is God’s righteousness
shown in the gospel? Christ’s death? Is. 53:4-6.
- Read Amos 5:21-24; Jm. 1:27. Is there a social dimension
to your righteousness, as well as a personal one?
Explain.
- Read 1 Jn. 1:9. How can God be "just" in
forgiving our sin?
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