Justice has become a buzzword in our recent culture, especially the idea of “social justice.” While we previously defined justice with our system of laws and punishments, social justice began with general biblical ideals like taking care of the poor and ending racist laws, initiated by charitable groups like churches. The government got involved over time, and with influences like Marx and other socialist philosophers, social justice evolved into a wider range of ideas. In some ways, the biblical idea of justice has been pushed aside for the new vision.
And yet, there is no more grand or expansive view of justice than God’s, and his often contrasts with the world’s. In the end, God’s justice will prevail. Unfortunately, many today are limited by the world’s justice.
What Is the World’s View of Justice?
The world has no access to an eternal, inclusive view of itself or others. Therefore, its justice focuses on temporary consequences, operating on a system of punishment and reward based on law. We call this punitive justice.
Limited in scope and understanding, this world only sees this temporary life, and therefore, it brings penalties for wrongdoing. The world might even use the biblical phrase “an eye for an eye” (Exodus 21:24) to support their justice, but even here, they misunderstand the meaning. Deuteronomy 32:35 also expresses God saying, “Vengeance is mine.” God takes personal ownership of ultimate recompense, or justice. Both these ideas existed in the same Mosaic Law—on the level of personal recompense based on a social law, and a deeper justice only God can do.
Without the second and crucial understanding, the world is left with personal punishment alone, twisting the “eye for an eye” beyond what was intended. The world twists it to be harsh, retaliatory, and to encourage revenge. Punitive justice prioritizes the external actions or words and finds negative consequences the way to keep the peace and have less crime. Humans are more than the external however, so the punitive justice system can only go so far.
And it ultimately fails. Every time. Even when trying to do something good through generosity and ending racism, we find individuals defrauding others for money or position. The social programs rarely work and might even cause more injustice. Sin and corruption ruin our own attempts at righteousness.
God’s justice is based on his goodness, his love, and how he knows all things and makes the best decision for the situation. Without God’s revelation, the world only trusts in their own understanding, a shifting and changing thing. Humanity can’t know enough, and our own corrupt hearts don’t make decisions for good or reconciliation but for our own agendas.
The Father gave the Mosaic Law of “eye for eye and tooth for tooth,” and intended it to be a blessing, but God also knew it would fail (Hebrews 8:7-8). The rules were righteous, from God, but the problem was the nature of the people trying to live by them. A corrupt humanity couldn’t fulfill a heavenly law, meant to produce a people living heaven on earth and give glory to God.
Because there’s a greater justice, a deeper injustice to combat, and only God can do this.
What Is the Father’s Justice?
The world has punitive justice. Biblically, the text expresses God’s redemptive justice.
Because of the world’s idea of justice, sometimes we believe God’s justice and love are opposites. To the contrary, they work together seamlessly.
God seeks to correct wrongdoing by redeeming us at the core of our being. He will punish wrongdoing, but his ultimate goal is to address the root of injustice—sin, corruption, and death. God created humanity in the beginning to have intimate relationship with him and purposeful meaning from that divine fellowship. When sin entered the world, humanity broke that relationship, and the corruption happened in the heart, leading to the injustice we see in action.
No government or worldly system can change the nature of humanity. This “vengeance” against the Devil belongs to God alone.
God’s redemptive justice can’t be satisfied with outward punishment. He wants to renew hearts and lives. God hasn’t given up on his original idea. He’s God. It’s the best idea. So he acts and works out of love to bring his children back to our purpose, from intimacy with him. The Old Testament shows God’s heart in justice, as God commands in Isaiah 1:17, “learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” But without God changing our hearts, we can’t do this.
So God came to change hearts and punish the real problem. 1 John 3:8 tells us how the Son of God appeared “to destroy the works of the devil.” Jesus came not to condemn the world (punitive) but to save it (John 3:17). Jesus healed the sick, forgave sinners, and raised the dead, all examples of redemptive justice, reversing the damage of sin and death. Christ didn’t come to establish another cold, administrative state. He worked and lived to fulfill his Father’s bigger redemptive plan to save and restore humanity by also defeating evil.
Again, not that punishment doesn’t exist in God’s justice, and he will when necessary. But his first attempt is for people to repent and avoid the negative consequences we naturally deserve. If punishment and consequences happen, he can even use those to bring good and redemption. God’s justice is always to bring something better in the future, to bring us closer to a reconciled relationship with the Father through the Son.
The cross stands as the best act of divine justice and love in one. Jesus bore the penalty for sin so God could restore the relationship with humanity and give those who would believe a new nature, being born again to live heavenly, transformed lives on earth.
Again, no worldly government or organization can enact this redemptive justice. This belongs to God. He’s doing it and will bring it to fulfillment in the end days. Our part is to declare it and invite others into it by willing repentance.
What Are Biblical Examples of God’s Redemptive Justice?
The whole Bible tells the one story of God’s redemptive justice. But we can point to two specific examples here.
When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God had every right to destroy them right away for their disobedience. Instead of giving them immediate death, God sought them out and covered their shame with animal skins. He didn’t stop there, either. The Father promised redemption through a later child, redeeming Eve’s sin. While humanity received consequences, from the beginning, God planned to bring them back through Jesus, who would destroy the serpent (crushing his head, undoing the works of the Devil).
Later, King David was supposedly a “man after God’s own heart,” but he committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged to have her husband killed after she got pregnant. The prophet Nathan arrived to confront David about it, and according to the Law, David deserved death. But David repented, and God forgave him. Though David still suffered consequences (the death of the child and later family drama), God still used his lineage to bring the Messiah. God’s justice both held David accountable and restored him to his purpose. David’s repentance was the key, here, finding forgiveness and new life in God.
Of course, looking at Jesus, we clearly see God’s heart isn’t to condemn but to save and renew.
When Should We Exhibit the Father’s Justice?
For another difference between the Father’s justice and the worldly version, the Bible provides an essential truth for redemptive justice. We’ve all been created in the image of God. This gives every human intrinsic, equal value. From the unborn to the poor or the rich or the elderly, every person has the same eternal worth to God.
Therefore, we seek biblical, redemptive justice in every relationship we have and in how we treat every person. God’s justice isn’t only for charitable events or the courts. Redemptive justice becomes a way of life for those who follow him. Through Jesus Christ, God is reconciling the entire creation back to himself by the Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Jesus lived and offered redemption in every interaction he had with people. As his disciples and fellow children of God, Jesus calls us to live out his redemptive mission in every conversation and relationship, especially when it gets difficult.
Redemptive justice means we don’t dismiss injustice, nor do we dismiss wrongdoing. We must recognize and declare sin for what it is and the destruction it could bring. But like God, we don’t stop there but act redemptively, speaking hope and offering mercy and restoration in every situation. This changes how and why we forgive and love those who wrong us and others.
Practicing God’s justice means choosing to value people the way God does, looking past their sin to the deeper need for grace and healing. This is how we speak the truth in love, not to be right or win an argument, but to reach restoration with God. We offer forgiveness, even when it costs us.
We stand against oppression and also love the oppressor. Jesus had both Matthew the tax collector and Simon the Zealot as disciples, one working for the Roman oppressors and the violent social justice warrior, and he transformed them both in his love.
God doesn’t tell us to wait when it’s easy to offer redemption. On the contrary, when it’s most difficult (someone wounds or betrays us), these are moments when the Father’s justice becomes even more crucial and important. Jesus showed this when he forgave the soldiers who put the nails in his hands and feet while he hung on the cross (Luke 23:24). He calls us to do the same, living out redemptive justice and mercy because we have so abundantly received it from God.
Living this way in every relationship, from work to family and friends, shows God’s justice to the world. Our daily redemptive justice transforms people and communities, pointing us all back to the love and righteousness of God.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Lord Henri Voton
