Is justice fair?
Is justice fair? It is all about perspective. If you are the person being judged and have been found guilty, you will probably think that justice is unfair, but if you were found not guilty, you will think that justice is fair. On the other hand, the people asking for justice will think that justice is fair if the verdict is in their favor, but will probably think that it is unfair if the verdict is not in their favor. So our view on the fairness of justice depends on what side of justice we are.
The decision in a trial is guided by laws that define if an action is punishable, and if so, what kind of punishment can be applied. The law applies to every one of us even if we don’t agree with it. The same concept applies to God’s justice.
The discussions about God’s justice are increasing. It looks like every day more people join the group that disagree with God’s concept of justice as described in His word. The disagreements come from Christians and non-Christians alike. Most of the discussions are centered on the fact that God is love, and a loving God would not implement justice the way it is established in the Bible.
God’s justice system works similar to any justice system on earth. The laws established by God are guidelines to keep us out of problems. However, there is a huge different in the way God implements his justice. Those who have broken God’s laws (all of us – see Romans 3:23) are given the opportunity to be declared justified in Jesus, if we receive him as Savior and Lord over our lives. So we are offered forgiveness when we deserved punishment.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord – Romans 6:23
However, we can decide to accept or reject this offer. If we reject it then there is no other option than punishment.
He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already – John 3:18
The most important fact about God’s justice system is that it has eternal repercussions. Those accepting His offer of undeserved justification will get to live eternally in God’s kingdom. Those rejecting it will get to live eternally separated from God and suffering the deserved punishment. Talking about eternal punishment and hell is not an easy task. However, we can’t deny the existence of hell, as Jesus himself mentioned it more than once (for example, Matthew 18:9, 23:15, 33, Mark 9:43, 45, 47, Luke 12:5). Hell is a reality, but there is no reason for anybody to be worried about hell since in God’s justice system everyone has been offered a way out through Jesus.
Is God’s justice system unfair? If God is biased it is in our favor.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:9
Who can complaint against the opportunities of such justice system? A system that offers justification for those found guilty; a judge that offers salvation instead of condemnation. What can we say? Is God’s justice system unfair?
Thanks be to God for his loving mercy and his undeserved opportunity of justification and salvation.
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