Thankful Thirty – Jesus, Justice and Justification

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What is justice?

It is fairness of rights and punishment of wrongs. 

God is fair, but life isn’t. It hasn’t been since the forbidden fruit eating in the Garden.

But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work for justice. We should. God commanded us to “love others.” All others. That includes standing up for the oppressed and taking care of those in need.

However, we don’t do it well. We fail in the justice department. Even those who shout and protest about it fail. The government fails. Organizations fail. Individuals fail.

So what do we do? Give up?

Absolutely not. We love with big love. Beyond our ability. With love made possible by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. And then where and when we fall short we count on God’s justification.

What is justification?

I’m thankful for God’s justice and His justification.

I’m thankful that in an unfair world—God is fair. And I’m thankful He declares me righteous and covers my failures with Jesus’ righteousness.

I wonder – you and I want fair, but do we want what we deserve. And I also wonder if we are realistic about what we deserve. It’s easy to think I deserve rewards and blessings . . . not so easy to think about deserving punishment.

When we understand how unjust we are, how deserving of God’s justice we finally begin to get a glimpse of the amazing gift justification really is. Our justification by God through Jesus is the Gospel Message.

“The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” ~Timothy Keller

And the truth of the Gospel gives us one desire.

“I have one desire now – to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.” ~Elisabeth Elliot

Justice and justification found in Jesus.

You are I are completely justified through faith in Jesus. Knowing and trusting that amazing gift leads us to love others like Jesus would – by caring and serving.

God’s justice needs Jesus justification and that leads to compassionate caring justice.

I’m thankful for Jesus, justice, and justification. You too?

Father, I’m having trouble finding the words to pray today. I want to thank you for being just and fair. For not giving me what I deserve. For declaring me righteous, justified by the blood of Jesus. Forgiven. Redeemed. How do I begin to sufficiently thank you for this amazing gift of grace. Justice says I deserve punishment. Justification says I am perfect. Thank you. Your love flattens me. I sorry Father, that Your grace has not always moved me to love like Jesus. Forgive me for not humbly serving and caring for others the way Jesus would. Help me to be kind, loving, and caring in Your name and for Your glory. In Jesus name. Amen.

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