“Finally, brothers,…whatever is just…think about these things” (Philippians 4:8). The Holy Spirit moved the Apostle Paul to encourage the small band of believers in Philippi to think about those things that are just. Some translations say, “…whatever is right.” After all, if we’re going to act justly, we first have to think rightly.”
The U.S. Pledge of Allegiance ends with these words, “…with liberty and justice for all.” That’s a beautiful statement, especially when we consider their original intent. The idea was that those of us who weren’t born into the nobility would be able to find justice. This lack of justice for the poor and an inability to financially care for their families (or future families) provoked my ancestors to leave places like Scotland, Wales, Germany, Italy, and even Scandinavia to seek a better future in America. And, while I had no part in their decision, I have certainly benefited from it.
Nevertheless, justice has become a slippery concept in our world. Some have said of a just society, “It’s one in which individuals receive what they ‘deserve.’” That’s a bit tricky, as I have noticed that most of us want grace for ourselves but justice for others.
The Bible says a lot about justice. Moses told the people of Israel, who were learning to govern themselves under God’s rule, “You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous” Deuteronomy 16:19. He went on to say, “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor” Leviticus 19:15. The Old Testament historian who wrote a history of the people of Israel (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit), wrote, “Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery” 2 Chronicles 19:7.
Interestingly, we are asked to think about justice. We’re encouraged to think about whatever is just. When we think about justice in our world, our minds tend to drift toward everything we see that is unjust. So, how do we think about that which is just? The best way is to meditate on the one from which all justice ultimately flows.
Finally, in a world where injustice seems to rule the day, and this injustice can keep our hearts in a state of constant turmoil, focusing our attention on the just-ness of God will help keep our minds at peace. And, who of us doesn’t need that?
