RIGHTEOUSNESS – 8

RAISING A STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – (F)

Isaiah 59:19 – So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will LIFT UP A STANDARD AGAINST HIM.

• Special note: Raising a standard against the enemy is part of the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit! God is JUST, and a God of JUSTICE!

Deuteronomy 32:4 – … all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; Righteous (JUST) and upright is He.

Isaiah 28:5-6 – In that day the Lord of hosts will be for a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of His people,
⁶ For a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.

Isaiah 16:5 – In mercy the throne will be established; And One will sit on it intruth, in the tabernacle of David, Judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness.”

Isaiah 28:16-17 – …thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily. ¹⁷ Also I will make justice the measuring line,
and righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place.

• Special note: It is interesting that God says He will make JUSTICE THE MEASURING LINE and RIGHTEOUSNESS THE PLUMMET! What is a measuring line and plummet? They both are measurements – one is used in carpentry for making something exactly upright (perpendicular to a horizontal plane); a measuring line is used to mark out something exactly as it should be. As the Lord raises the STANDARD OF JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS it is according to His perfect standard, not the standard of the world. Once again, note that this is something that God says! It will overcome the lies and secret hiding places of the enemy!

Deuteronomy 25:15; Proverbs 11:1 – …you shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure, that your days may be lengthened in the land which the Lord your God is giving you… Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.

Jeremiah 30:11 – I am with you,’ says the Lord, ‘to save you; … I will correct you in justice, and will not let you go altogether unpunished.’

A STANDARD OF JUSTICE

JUSTICE has to do with just behavior or treatment.

What is “JUSTICE”? JUSTICE has to with a virtue and principle that gives everyone what is rightfully their due; dealing truly and honestly with each other; integrity in our dealings with one another; distributing to every man rightly according to what the laws and principles of equity require; fair dealings with one another; impartiality and equal distribution of right; equity and agreeableness to right; vindictive retribution and merited punishment.

 What does “JUST” mean? When someone is JUST, they are suitable and acceptable according to the common standard in God’s Word; they are right, upright, and honest, conforming exactly to Biblical standards and requirements for JUSTICE; accurate and conformed to thetruth and facts; innocent, blameless, and without guilt.

being “just” is A REQUIREMENT OF GOD

Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly,
to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Exodus 23:7 – Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked.

SCRIPTURES ABOUT JUSTICE, AND BEING JUST

THE LORD LOVES JUSTICE

Isaiah 61:8 – “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant.

JUSTICE BRINGS JOY

Proverbs 21:15 – It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

THE LORD BLESSED ABRAHAM BECAUSE OF HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND FOR DOING JUSTICE

Genesis 18:19 – For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”

WE ARE NOT TO FOLLOW THE CROWD TO DO EVIL, PERVERT JUSTICE WITH FALSEHOOD, OR BE AN UNRIGHTEOUS WITNESS

Exodus 23:1-2 – You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.1,2 – “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

JESUS MINISTERS JUSTICE and is ‘just’

Matthew 12:18,20 – “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles... A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory…

Acts 2:32-33 –  The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He opened not His mouth. ³³ In His humiliation His justice was taken away… for His life is taken from the earth.”

Matthew 27:19,24 – While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”… When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”

Acts 3:14 – Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,

Acts 22:13-15 – he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. ¹⁴ Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. ¹⁵ For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.

WE ARE JUSTIFIED THROUGH JESUS

Romans 3:24,26; 4:25; 5:1,9; Titus 3:7 – …being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus... to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus... Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification... Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ... Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him... having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

I Peter 3:18 – For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit…

I John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

WORKS ARE ALSO IMPORTANT FOR JUSTIFICATION – GENUINE FAITH PRODUCES GOOD WORKS

James 2:24 – You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

WE ARE JUSTIFIED OR CONDEMNED BY OUR WORDS

Matthew 12:37 – For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Every ACT OF DISOBEDIENCE AND SIN RECEIVES A ‘JUST’ REWARD

Hebrews 2:1-3 – …we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. ² For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, ³ how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation,

WE ARE TO BE LIKE GOD – WHO IS IMPARTIAL, DOES NOT TAKE BRIBES, ADMINISTERS JUSTICE, and is righteous

Deuteronomy 10:17-18 – For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. ¹⁸ He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. 

Isaiah 45:21 – And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me.

Deuteronomy 16:18,19; 27:19 – “You shall appoint judges and officers…and they shall judge the people with just judgment. You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous... Cursed is the one who perverts the justice due the stranger, the fatherless, and widow.’

Proverbs 17:23 – A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back to pervert the ways of justice.

Job 3:8; 34:12; 37:23 – Does God subvert judgment? … Or does the Almighty pervert justice? … As for the Almighty… He is excellent in power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress.

Psalm 7:11 – God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.

Romans 9:14 – …Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!

Zephaniah 3:5 – The Lord is righteous in her midst, He will do no unrighteousness. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He never fails, But the unjust knows no shame.

Isaiah 26:7 – The way of the just is uprightness; O Most Upright, You weigh the path of the just.

Psalm 10:17-18; 103:6 – Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear,¹⁸ To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more... The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed… The works of His hands are verity (TRUTH) and justice; All His precepts are sure. ⁸ They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.

Psalm 25:9; 33:5; 99:4 – The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way... He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. The King’s strength also loves justice; You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.

Psalm 140:12; 146:6-8 – I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor...
⁷ Who executes justice for the oppressed, the Lord gives freedom to the prisoners... The Lord loves the righteous.

Psalm 11:5-7 – The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates…⁷ For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.

Psalm 37:5-6– Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. ⁶ He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday… For the Lord loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off… The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice...

Micah 3:1-2,8-12 – “Hear now, O heads of Jacob, and you rulers of the house of Israel: Is it not for you to know justice?
² You who hate good and love evil; … But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of justice and might, To declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin… Now hear this, you… who abhor justice and pervert all equity,
¹⁰ Who build up Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity: ¹¹ Her heads judge for a bribe… Therefore because of you
Zion shall be plowed like a field, Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins…

NOAH WAS A ‘JUST’ MAN

Genesis 6:9 – Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.

DAVID ADMINISTERED JUDGMENT AND JUSTICE

2 Samuel 8:15 – So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered judgment and justice to all his people.

JOB WAS RIGHTEOUS AND ‘JUST‘

Job 29:14 – I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban.

JOSEPH (MARY’S HUSBAND) WAS A ‘JUST’ MAN

Matthew 1:19 – Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.

JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS A ‘JUST’ AND HOLY MAN

Mark 6:20 – Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

Luke 1:17 – He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

SIMEON WAS A ‘JUST’ AND DEVOUT MAN

Luke 2:25 there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

JOSEPH OF Arimathea WAS A ‘JUST’ MAN

Luke 23:50 – there was a man named Joseph (of Arimathea), a council member, a good and just man.

CORNELIUS WAS A ‘JUST’ MAN

Acts 10:22 – “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.”

SOLOMON PLEASED THE LORD BECAUSE HE ASKED FOR UNDERSTANDING TO DISCERN JUSTICE

I Kings 3:9-12,28 –  Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” ¹⁰ The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. ¹¹ Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, ¹² behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart… And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice…

I Kings 10:9 – (Queen of Sheba’s praise of Solomon) – Blessed be the Lord your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.” (also 2 Chronicles 9:8)

NEBUCHADNEZZAR ACKNOWLEDGED THE LORD’S JUSTICE

Daniel 4:37 – I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.

GOD SAYS THAT RULERS MUST BE ‘JUST‘

2 Samuel 23:3 – The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

Titus 1:8 – (Qualifications of eldership) …but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,

SAMUEL’S SONS PERVERTED JUSTICE AND WERE DISHONEST

I Samuel 8:3 – But his (Samuel’s) sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.

THE LORD JUDGES WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE

Psalm 72:1-2, 4 – Give the king Your judgments, O God, and Your righteousness to the king’s Son.
² He will judge Your people with righteousness, and Your poor with justice…

RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE ARE FOUNDATIONAL

Psalm 89:14 – Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face…

Psalm 7:9 – Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.

PRAYERs FOR JUSTICE and righteousness

Psalm 82:3-4 – Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy.⁴ Deliver the poor and needy;
Free them from the hand of the wicked.

I Kings 8:32 – ...judge Your servants, condemning the wicked, bringing his way on his head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness.

Psalm 119:121,149 – I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors… Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O Lord, revive me according to Your justice.

THE LORD’S JUSTICE IS PRAISE-WORTHY

Psalm 101:1 – I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O Lord, I will sing praises.

THOSE WHO DO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND KEEP JUSTICE ARE BLESSED

Psalm 106:3 – Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times!

Proverbs 3:33; 4:18 – The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just... the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

Isaiah 30:18; – Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him...

Jeremiah 31:23 – Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “They shall again use this speech in the land of Judah and in its cities, when I bring back their captivity: ‘The Lord bless you, O home of justice, and mountain of holiness!’

Zephaniah 2:3 – Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the Lord’s anger.

WE ARE TO RECEIVE ‘JUST’ and ‘right’ INSTRUCTION in the ways of justice and wisdom

Proverbs 1:3 – To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity (the impartial distribution of justice; right);

Proverbs 2:7-9 – He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; ⁸ He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.⁹ Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
Equity and every good path.

Proverbs 8:14-16,20; 9:9 – Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. ¹⁵ By me kings reign, and rulers decree justice... I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice.. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

WHEN JUSTICE IS LACKING THINGS GET WASTED

Proverbs 13:23 – Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, and for lack of justice there is waste.

GREAT RICHES WITHOUT JUSTICE ARE VALUELESS COMPARED TO HAVING LITTLE WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS

Proverbs 16:8 – Better is a little with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice.

THOSE WHO SCORN and divert JUSTICE ARE DISREPUTABLE

Proverbs 19:28 – A disreputable witness scorns justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

Isaiah 29:20-21 – The scornful one is consumed, and all who watch for iniquity are cut off—²¹ Who make a man an offender by a word, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and turn aside the just by empty words.

TO DO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD AND BRINGS JOY

Proverbs 21:3,7- To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice…
The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice… It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

Proverbs 28:5 – Evil men do not understand JUSTICE, but those who seek the Lord understand all.

Provebs 29:4,26 – The king establishes the land by justice, but he who receives bribes overthrows it... Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice for man comes from the Lord.

INTOXICATION IS NOT GOOD – IT PERVERTS JUSTICE

Proverbs 31:4-6 – …It is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; ⁵ Lest they drink and forget the law,
and pervert the justice of all the afflicted.

Isaiah 5:7,22-23 – He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help... Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, ²³ Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away justice from the righteous man!

IT IS GOOD TO SEEK JUSTICE – IT IS THE WAY OF REDEMPTION AND RIGHTEOUSNESS WHEN THERE IS REPENTANCE

Isaiah 1:17,21,27 – Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow… How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers… Zion shall be redeemed with justice, And her penitents with righteousness.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS ESTABLISHED WITH JUDGMENT AND JUSTICE

Isaiah 9:7 – Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 32:1,7,15-17:33 5 -Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice...
Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; He devises wicked plans To destroy the poor with lying words, Even when the needy speaks justice... Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest. ¹⁶ Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. ¹⁷ The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.

Isaiah 10:1-2 – “Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, Who write misfortune, which they have prescribed
² To rob the needy of justice, and to take what is right from the poor of My people, that widows may be their prey,
and that they may rob the fatherless.

Isaiah 40:13-15 – Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or as His counselor has taught Him? ¹⁴ With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding? ¹⁵ Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.

Isaiah 42:1,2,4; 51:4; 56:1 – “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth... He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law.” … “Listen to Me, My people; And give ear to Me, O My nation: For law will proceed from Me, And I will make My justice rest As a light of the peoples... Thus says the Lord: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come, And My righteousness to be revealed.

A DESIRE FOR JUSTICE IS NOT ENOUGH – WE MUST PRACTICE IT. IT DISPLEASES THE LORD WHEN THERE IS NO JUSTICE

Romans 2:13; James 1:22 – (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified) … But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Isaiah 58:1-3; Isaiah 59:3-4,8-9,14-15 – “Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.² Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching God. ³ ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exploit all your laborers... For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity. ⁴ No one calls for justice, nor does any plead for truth. they trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity… The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace. Therefore justice is far from us, Nor does righteousness overtake us; We look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness! … Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street, And equity cannot enter. So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. Then the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him That there was no justice.

Lamentations 3:35-36 – To turn aside the justice due a man before the face of the Most High, ³⁶ Or subvert a man in his cause—The Lord does not approve.

Amos 6:12 – you haveturned justice into gall, And the fruit of righteousness into wormwood…

IT GOES WELL WITH US WHEN THERE IS JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

Jeremiah 22:15 – Did not your father eat and drink, And do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him.

JUSTICE, RIGHTEOUSNESS, TRUTH, AND JUDGMENT ARE COMMANDED BY THE LORD

Ezekiel 45:9 – ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Enough, O princes of Israel! Remove violence and plundering, execute justice and righteousness, and stop dispossessing My people,” says the Lord God.

Amos 5:6-7,12,15,23-24 – Seek the Lord and live, lest He break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, with no one to quench it in Bethel—⁷ You who turn justice to wormwood, for I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: Afflicting the just and taking bribes; Diverting the poor from justice at the gate. and lay righteousness to rest in the earth!”... Hate evil, love good; Establish justice in the gate. It may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph… Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.²⁴ But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.

Zechariah 7:9; 8:16 – “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother… These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace…

Hosea 12:6 – So you, by the help of your God, return; Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually.

THE CHURCH IS BETROTHED TO THE LORD FOREVER IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE

Hosea 2:19 – “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy…

THE CHURCH IS ‘JUST’

Hebrews 12:33 – to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect…

THE LORD EXECUTES JUSTICE

Micah 7:9 – I will bear the indignation of the Lord, Because I have sinned against Him, Until He pleads my case And executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness.

THERE IS MAJOR TROUBLE WHEN THERE ISN’T JUSTICE BUT PERVERSE JUDGMENT

Habakuk 1:3-4 – Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me;
There is strife, and contention arises. ⁴ Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore perverse judgment proceeds.

CONFUSING EVIL WITH GOOD AND QUESTIONING HIS JUSTICE WEARIES GOD – justifying the wicked and condemning the ‘just’ is an abomination

Malachi 2:16-17 – “For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,”Says the Lord of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.” ¹⁷ You have wearied the Lord with your words; Yet you say, “In what way have we wearied Him?” In that you say, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them,”Or, “Where is the God of justice?”

Proverbs 17:5 – He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

IT IS HYPOCRITICAL TO NEGLECT JUSTICE

Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42 – “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone…

THE ‘JUST’ SHALL LIVE BY FAITH – THOSE WHO BACKSLIDE BRING DISPLEASURE TO THE LORD

Ezekiel 18:9 – If he has walked in My statutes and kept My judgments faithfully— He is just; He shall surely live!” Says the Lord God.

Habakuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Hebrews 10:13 – “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith... the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” … – Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

AT THE END THE ANGELS SEPARATE THE WICKED FROM AMONG THE JUST for punishment

Matthew 13:49 – So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just,  and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Acts 24:15 – I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

THE WAYS OF THE LORD ARE JUST AND TRUE

Revelation 15:3 – They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!