Justice and righteousness

by Rapha Abreu·July 25, 2023·4 min read

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In the beginning, when God created the world and everything in it, He also laid the foundation for righteous living. He is infinite wisdom himself and recognizes the importance of us living according to His righteousness.

What are?

“Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
Deuteronomy 16:20

Justice means the quality of who has a just behavior or treatment. It is a way of perceiving, evaluating what is right, just. Righteousness has a close meaning. It means quality, characteristic or attribute of what or who is upright. The virtue of following, without deviation, the direction indicated by the sense of justice, by equity. Virtue of being in conformity with reason, with duty.

Justice and righteousness are very necessary traits. We can see their importance being expressed since the first books of the bible by great prophets and leaders.

Just like god

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Love and faithfulness go before you.”
Psalm 89:14

Throughout the biblical texts, we find in the nature of God teachings, through words and actions, about justice and righteousness. And He invites us to express His glory, to be like Him and to imitate His character.

The senses of justice and righteousness are so important to God that the text of Psalms brings these terms as the basis of His throne, the foundation of His word. He is a merciful God who shows grace, but he is also a Father whose principles are just and the way is straight.

If our desire is to draw closer to Him and live according to His love, it is necessary that we seek what is right, according to His teachings, in all areas of our lives. Following fairly and uprightly is not just about our relationships with other people, it is not limited to that. It is also focused on our behaviors and choices in different situations.

Focused on Who God Is

“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”
Proverbs 21:3

Following religious rituals, like the sacrifice described in this passage of Proverbs, is not what we need, as they can be done emptyly or with other intentions. But a heart given in complete devotion, follows justice naturally and with its essence focused on who God is.

God values our actions when we focus on who He is and when our sincere desire is to be like Him.

In the beatitudes quoted in Matthew 5, Jesus makes it clear in verse 6 that those who hunger and thirst for justice are blessed, that is, they are happy. They find the true joy that only exists in the grace of the Lord.

Real intentions

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8

Following what is just and upright expresses the essence of our Creator and brings us closer to His character and Word.

Those two little words have the power to transform the entire world around us. And as we practice, we not only become examples for those close to us, but we also become mirrors of the Lord’s character.

We need to be agents of transformation, as God’s channels to bring His light, peace, grace, mercy and justice to the world. May we learn to treat people around us with kindness, compassion and respect. May we be wise when walking and making decisions, asking for the Father’s discernment.

Being fair is also being a voice for those who don’t have the strength to scream, defending and protecting. It is praying for each other. It is choosing to walk in honesty and humility.

My prayer for you today is that your heart will be pure in Jesus and whole through the love the Father has bestowed upon you. May your heart be an abode of truth and righteousness. May you live according to the Lord’s principles, even in the face of challenges and temptations. And that all this is not just based on external attitudes, but on real intentions from your heart.