READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l What is justice? Is it making right what is wrong or getting revenge? There are different types of justice. Distributive justice, which is the right and fair distribution of goods and rights. Procedural justice or the due process in law. Retributive justice where there are punitive consequences for wrongdoing. Restorative justice meant to restore and redeem.
The Bible has a similar and yet very distinct understanding of justice. Micah 6 was set in the context of a courtroom. God had charged Israel for forgetting that God had redeemed them in the past. Israel pleaded innocence and claimed they still remembered God. But God said no, I have shown you what I require of you – that is to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
To act justly (mishpat) means that everyone is treated fairly and equally before the law, regardless of social status or race. Mishpat is both retributive justice as well as restorative of dignity and worth, because everyone is made in the image of God. Our being made in the image of God (imago dei) is the bedrock of biblical justice. All are equal before God, regardless of our social status.
We are to love mercy (hesed). This is an attitude of the heart, where we love mercy and act justly. It is what is inside of us flowing out in social justice and just action. God is good and upright and justice is an expression of God’s character. He is a father to the fatherless, defender of widows and has love for migrants. (Is 30:18, Ps 68:5, Deut 10:18) God delights in justice; a “scandalous” justice that is not only for the elites because Yahweh also empowers the orphan, widow and stranger. (Vinoth Ramachandra)
Reflection of God
Justice is simply who God is. God is just and His character does not change. Today, if we are going through injustice, we can surrender our injustice to a God. God declares in His word that vengeance or justice is mine. God will take up our cause. Even if we do not see the justice in our lifetime, one day God’s justice will make all things beautiful and right. (Rev 21-22) God takes up the cause of the least, the last and the lost. When we pursue His heart, walk humbly with God, love mercy and act justly; we begin to understand and carry out what is in God’s heart. God’s justice will be made complete when He returns. In the meantime, God gives us strength and comfort with an enduring love. If we dishonor the poor we insult God, but when we are generous to the poor, we honour God.
Right Relationship
The Hebrew word tzedeqah means being just or righteous. The call of righteousness is actually a right relationship with God. The righteous are those who are right with God and therefore committed to putting right all relationships. (Alec Motyer) We cannot be just unless we first receive God’s justice, which enables us to have a right relationship with Him. Through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. (Rom 5:19) God’s justice is not the kind of right and wrong that we understand in worldly terms. God gave us his son Jesus who was righteous and just, yet died on behalf of us, the sinful and unjust. Jesus offered his life for us, the guilty, so that we can be declared righteous or innocent before God. We don’t deserve it. It is not fair that an innocent man should die on the cross for me. God’s justice is beautiful, radical and profoundly counter to the justice that we long for in the world today.
Being in a right relationship with God is righteousness. After receiving God’s justice, we are compelled to go and bring the same justice to others and be in right relationship with them. When we appreciate what Christ had done, it leads to justice for the least, the last and the lost. This gives hope to the helpless, just as Christ has given us hope. The experience of beauty of the gospel makes us less self-centred and more open to justice and being kind to others.
Generosity to the MVP
The Most Valuable Player in the team gets things done; and in society, the Most Valued People have status and wealth. But God’s MVPs are the Marginalised, Vulnerable and Powerless. These are people who are most in need of justice. Their lives are most at risk in the absence of justice. (Glen Scorgie) Biblical justice therefore requires us to have a generous heart toward the marginalised, vulnerable and powerless. God refers to the poor and hungry as our own “flesh and blood”. (Is 58:6-7) God does not desire the extravagance of our religious practices, but looks at our hearts. Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:21-24) Just as God has been so generous in His justice to us, we must likewise be generous and kind to others. If we are willing, God will empower us.
Way of Life
Walking humbly with God in daily life and knowing God’s heart for justice defines the way we live and treat each other. We can:
- Live justly every day. Treat others fairly, honestly and kindly, and look after the interests of the MVPs.
- Speak up in an appropriate manner against things which are not fair or right. (Pr 31:8-9)
- Get involved in programmes that help us to encounter the least, last and lost. God His heart is for them and he will, in the process, reveal our call to us.
- Get involved in causes which bring an end to injustice.
The clarion call for us is to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. Justice reflects God’s character. It is being in a right relationship with Him and others who are made in the image of God. Justice is generosity to the least, the last, the marginalised and powerless. Justice is a way of life. Would we today begin to make that our way of life? May God fill us with His compassion and grace to love the least, the last and the lost, as God would, for the glory of His name.
(Sermon notes by Denis Koh)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
- Read Micah 6:6-8. What stands out to you?
- Recall Sermon
- Why is justice a reflection of God?
- How is generosity towards the MVP (Marginalised, Vulnerable, Powerless)s justice?
- How can justice be a way of life?
- Relate Personally
- What in the sermon resonated with you?
- What is one discipleship lesson you have gleaned from the message?
- Commit to Action
- In what ways is God calling you to act in response to the message?
- What steps will you take this week to apply the lessons learned from the sermon?
