Topical Bible: Character of Christ: Just

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The character of Christ as "Just" is a profound aspect of His divine nature and earthly ministry, reflecting His perfect adherence to righteousness and fairness. The term "just" in the biblical context refers to being righteous, fair, and morally upright, qualities that Christ exemplified throughout His life and teachings.

Biblical Foundation

The justice of Christ is rooted in His divine nature as the Son of God. In Isaiah 11:4-5, a prophecy concerning the Messiah states, "But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the meek of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips. Righteousness will be the belt around His hips, and faithfulness the sash around His waist." This passage highlights the Messiah's role in executing justice with perfect righteousness.

In the New Testament, Christ's just nature is evident in His teachings and actions. In John 5:30, Jesus declares, "I can do nothing by Myself; I judge only as I hear, and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." Here, Jesus emphasizes that His judgments are just because they align with the will of the Father, underscoring His commitment to divine justice.

Justice in Christ's Ministry

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated justice in various ways. He upheld the law while also extending grace and mercy. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus states, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." By fulfilling the law, Christ maintained its just requirements while also providing a way for humanity to be reconciled to God.

Christ's interactions with individuals further illustrate His just character. In the account of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), Jesus demonstrates justice tempered with mercy. While the law demanded punishment, Jesus challenged those without sin to cast the first stone, ultimately forgiving the woman and instructing her to "go and sin no more." This incident reveals Christ's ability to uphold justice while offering redemption.

The Just Judge

Christ's role as the just judge is a central theme in eschatological teachings. In Acts 17:31, Paul proclaims, "For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead." The resurrection of Christ serves as a testament to His authority and role as the just judge of all humanity.

Revelation 19:11 further depicts Christ as the righteous judge: "Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war." This imagery underscores the certainty and fairness of Christ's judgment at the end of the age.

Implications for Believers

The just character of Christ has profound implications for believers. It assures them of the fairness and righteousness of God's dealings with humanity. Believers are called to emulate Christ's justice in their own lives, as seen in Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

In summary, the character of Christ as "Just" is a testament to His divine nature and His commitment to righteousness. His life and teachings provide a model for believers to pursue justice, grounded in the truth and love of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, your King comes to you: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on an ass, and on a colt the foal of an ass.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 5:30
I can of my own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which has sent me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 22:14
And he said, The God of our fathers has chosen you, that you should know his will, and see that Just One, and should hear the voice of his mouth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

5158. tropos -- a way, manner, fashion
... Christ as Lord. Word Origin from the same as trope Definition a way, manner, fashion
NASB Word Usage character (1), circumstance (1), exactly* (1), just* (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5158.htm - 7k

Library

The Book of Christ
... thought, the universe might theoretically be regarded as a system ruled over by
a Deity who had brought forth a character like that of Christ just for the sake ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter v the book of.htm

Repentance
... these are sins that are especially offensive to God; for they are contrary to the
benevolence of His character, to that ... We must come to Christ just as we are. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 3 repentance.htm

How to Become Like Christ.
... Now, adopting Paul's method, this happens: Christ acts on our character just as
a person acts upon a mirror. The whole image is reflected at once. ...
/.../dods/how to become like christ/how to become like christ.htm

Christ --Perfect through Sufferings
... man's case, if the Divine One had lent us his own wisdom for the occasion, we could
only have desired just such a person as Christ is. In character, we should ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christperfect through sufferings.htm

Love and Discernment.
... Just as the Master said, "Blessed is he whosoever is not put to stumble by Me,"
so must it be with every follower of Christ. ... (3) Character; "being filled ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/ix love and discernment.htm

The Doctrine of the Resurrection the Body Will Rise Again. ...
... Christ's Judicial Character. ... to say which side has the better right to a Christ who
is ... Just as my Christ is to be expected, [5581] who was predicted from the ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter ix the doctrine of the.htm

The Test of Discipleship
... Christ's character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before
God just as if you had not sinned. More than this, Christ changes the heart. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 7 the test of.htm

Growing up into Christ
... that heaven's light may shine upon us, that our character may be developed into
the likeness of Christ. ... do nothing." John 15:4, 5. You are just as dependent ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 8 growing up into.htm

Man's Own Character no Ground of Peace
... these to the utmost, does not the sinner feel that pardon is just as far off ... They
will not take confidence from God's character or Christ's work, but from ...
/.../bonar/gods way of peace/chapter ii mans own character.htm

Traditionalism, Its Origin, Character, and Literature - the ...
... long interval between Simon the Just and Antigonus ... were either positive in their
character (Teqqanoth), or ... Scripture, that these words of Christ referred: [501 ...
/.../chapter viii traditionalism its origin.htm