As you know, I’ve decided to write a series on “Why I Come From A Christian Perspective.”
In this article, I’d like to share the seventh answer that comes to mind:
Christianity explains not only the need we inherently have for justice but also provides a fulfillment of that justice.
In the last article, I talked about how Christianity provides a basis for objective morality, namely: the character of God.
Now, have you thought about how we all seem to have this need for justice?
Whether we agree with one another or not, we find something rising up in us when we feel there is something that happens that is unfair, unjust, or just plain wrong!
And this happens with everyone regardless of religious or spiritual persuasion and regardless of worldview.
The Bible explains that humans are made with a conscience.
“They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.” Romans 2:15
In other words, whether someone believes in God or not, there is a built-in mechanism inside each of us that tells us what is right and wrong.
Not that this capacity is always perfect, mind you. (hint: that’s why we revelation from the divine, through God’s Spirit and God’s Word). In other words, that’s why sometimes people disagree on what is fair vs. unfair or right from wrong. But the point here is that because of having a conscience, we all feel there are things are fair vs. unfair, or right vs. wrong.
I would contend this is because of how our Creator wired us – with a conscience!
Yet, for the person who either doesn’t believe in God or doesn’t believe in a Just, Holy, and Righteous God, there is no fulfillment of justice.
In other words, someone who doesn’t believe in God or believe in a God who is just can say they believe things are fair or unfair insofar as these are naturally selected adaptive traits humans have evolved to have for the “survival of the fittest” but there is no true justice as there is no objective morality (because if there was, what would it based on?).
Another way to put this is that with this kind of belief system, people can live their whole lives doing evil things and then turn to dust and disappear without any justice being served.
Does that, ultimately, seem fair to you?
What seems fair to me is that the God who made us be the one to be the ultimate Judge over us…not in a scary “I got you” kind of way but in a “I’m here to hold you accountable” kind of way, if that makes sense ;)
And that is in essence what Christianity puts forth. In other words, justice is served whether through God’s chastening or punishment in this life OR through God’s judgment on where we are in the next life.
“He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!” Deuteronomy 32:4
This verse reminds us that God is completely and totally Just.
“I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.” Revelation 3:19
This is God’s reminder that for everyone He loves – that is, His children – He will discipline them and punish them because as Proverbs 3:11-12 reminds us, “For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.”
The astute reader will notice I said “His children.” Not all people are God’s children contrary to popular belief. So, who are His children?
Answer according to scripture: Those who put their faith and trust in Christ for the forgiveness of sin. (more on this in the last article)
Coming back to the issues of justice and judgment, scripture is clear that this judgment is not merely for this earthly life but for the next.
“For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:31
This shows that there is a final judgment that none other than God will be directing and meting out. And this “man He has appointed” is none other than Jesus which is why Jesus is so important! (more on this in a future article).
You will either be judged according to Christ (if you’ve put your faith in Him) and be with God or yourself (if you’ve put your faith in someone else or yourself alone) and be separated from God.
In summary, the Christian worldview not only explains WHY we all feel a need for justice but it also shows HOW God fulfills that justice, both within this life and into the next life. And that’s reason #7 why I come from a Christian perspective.
Let’s thrive together!
