Justice according to the Bible

The notion of justice lies at the heart of all human societies. It requires respect for the rules that govern relations between individuals, groups and institutions. But how does the Bible define justice?
What role does it play in the spiritual life of believers?
In this article, we'll explore the verse from Isaiah 26:9 to understand what the Bible teaches us about justice, judgment and learning.

In this verse, Isaiah reveals that the inhabitants of the world learn justice when God's judgments are exercised on earth. In other words, God has a particular way of teaching righteousness to mankind, often through means that escape us or that we don't immediately understand. Yet it's important to keep this perspective in mind as we seek to establish a definition of justice.

The Bible teaches that justice is founded on God's love for all men. In the book of Psalms, we read: "The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and good in all his works" (Psalms 145:17). This fundamental truth explains why justice is first and foremost a question of the relationship between God and man, but also between men themselves. By practicing justice, we place love at the center of our actions and ambitions.

God's judgment is also a key element of His justice. For some, judgment is a terrifying notion associated with fear and punishment. However, in the Bible, judgment is first and foremost an act of purification and healing. It enables us to turn away from evil and draw closer to God. Ultimately, God's judgment frees us from everything that prevents us from knowing and loving God.

Finally, the Bible teaches us that learning righteousness is a gradual process. Life experiences and God's revelation gradually clarify our understanding of the truth. The book of Proverbs states: "The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and the knowledge of the saints is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10). This statement emphasizes that wisdom is a process of spiritual development, which begins with the fear of God and leads us to the knowledge of truth.

Justice is a fundamental value of the Christian spiritual life, linked to our relationship with God and with others. It is taught by God himself, through life experiences, the revelation of his word and the judgments he makes on earth.

Justice is based on God's love for mankind, which is embodied in our daily actions of generosity, respect and compassion towards our fellow human beings. In short, justice according to the Bible invites us to see our spiritual life as a process of continuous learning of God's wisdom, with love at the center of all our actions.

Shalom!