Justice: God: Requires
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, justice is a fundamental attribute of God's character and a central theme throughout Scripture. The Bible presents God as the ultimate standard of justice, requiring His people to reflect His just nature in their lives and societies.

Divine Justice Defined

God's justice is rooted in His holiness and righteousness. It is the moral standard by which He governs the universe, ensuring that good is rewarded and evil is punished. The psalmist declares, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You" (Psalm 89:14). This verse underscores the inseparable link between God's justice and His righteous rule.

God's Requirement for Justice

God's requirement for justice is evident in His laws and commandments. The Mosaic Law, given to Israel, is replete with instructions that promote justice and fairness. For instance, Leviticus 19:15 commands, "You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly" . This directive emphasizes impartiality and fairness, reflecting God's just nature.

The prophets frequently called Israel back to the practice of justice, highlighting its importance to God. Micah 6:8 succinctly captures this divine requirement: "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?" . Here, justice is presented as a fundamental expectation for God's people, alongside mercy and humility.

Justice in the New Testament

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ embodies and teaches God's justice. His ministry often challenged social injustices and called for a deeper understanding of true righteousness. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasizes the spirit of the law, urging His followers to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20).

The apostle Paul also addresses the theme of justice, particularly in his epistles. In Romans 12:19, he writes, "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord'" . This passage highlights the belief that ultimate justice belongs to God, and believers are called to trust in His righteous judgment.

Justice and the Christian Life

For Christians, living justly is a reflection of their relationship with God. James 1:27 defines pure religion as caring for orphans and widows in their distress, underscoring the practical outworking of justice in the believer's life. Furthermore, the call to justice extends beyond personal conduct to societal structures, as believers are encouraged to advocate for the oppressed and marginalized.

In summary, the Bible consistently portrays God as a just ruler who requires His people to uphold justice in their lives. This divine mandate is woven throughout Scripture, calling believers to reflect God's justice in their personal and communal interactions.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Micah 6:8
He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Likeness of God
... And when they are told that God requires of them certain frames and feelings ... If plain
honesty, justice, sobriety, usefulness in my place will not please God, I ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xxiv the likeness of god.htm

Characters Will be Disclosed, and Justice Awarded.
... listen to counsels and warnings"do things which God requires, and deny ... the clear
manifestation of their guilt, and the impartial justice of God, they will ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xvi characters will be.htm

Whether There is Mercy in God
... But God cannot rescind what his justice requires, for it is said in II:Tim.2:13:
"If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: for he cannot deny himself," and ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article three whether there is.htm

God's Requirements and God's Gift
... hand. Justice and mercy do, in the deepest view, run into one. Then Micah
goes deeper. 'And ... them. God requires me to do justly. Does ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/gods requirements and gods gift.htm

Of the True Worship of God, and Sacrifice.
... What gold? What precious stones,"if there is not a pure mind on the part of the
worshipper? Therefore it is justice only which God requires. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap lviii of the true worship.htm

Of Justice Known to All, but not Embraced; of the True Temple of ...
... But you long for justice on the earth, while the ... have prevailed throughout the earth;
of that God, I say, who hates wickedness and requires goodness; whose ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap viii of justice known to.htm

The Intercourse of God and his Friend
... any reverential preface, assumes that the character of God requires that the fate ...
Abraham's confidence in God's justice, not Abraham's conceptions of what that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the intercourse of god and.htm

Further Description of the Divine Justice; Since the Fall of Man ...
... Will you call this justice an evil, when it is all ... Would you suppose Him to be a
good God, who should be able ... is the author of good, but He who also requires it ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xiii further description of the.htm

The Will of Man Requires the Help of God.
... Chapter 5 [V.]"The Will of Man Requires the Help of God ... that no man can be continent,
except God gives it ... When He commands us, saying, "Do justice," [469] and ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 5 v the will of.htm

The Sufferings of Christ Reconciled with the Goodness of God.
... And we suppose it is this idea, at which the Socinian vaguely and obscurely aims,
when he says, that the justice of God requires the punishment of the ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter iii the sufferings of.htm

Resources
Did God sacrifice Himself to Himself to save us from Himself because of a rule He made Himself? | GotQuestions.org

What is the social gospel? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian be a vigilante? | GotQuestions.org

Justice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Justice

Justice: Apostles

Justice: Brings Its own Reward

Justice: Christ, an Example of

Justice: Commanded

Justice: David

Justice: General Scriptures Concerning

Justice: Gifts Impede

Justice: God: Delights In

Justice: God: Displeased With the Want of

Justice: God: Gives Wisdom to Execute

Justice: God: Requires

Justice: God: Sets the Highest Value On

Justice: Joseph

Justice: Josiah

Justice: Moses

Justice: Promises To

Justice: Saints should Always Do

Justice: Saints should Pray for Wisdom to Execute

Justice: Saints should Receive Instruction In

Justice: Saints should Study the Principles of

Justice: Saints should Take Pleasure in Doing

Justice: Saints should Teach Others to Do

Justice: Samuel

Justice: Solomon

Justice: Specially Required in Rulers

Justice: The Wicked: Abhor

Justice: The Wicked: Afflict Those Who Act With

Justice: The Wicked: Banish

Justice: The Wicked: Call not For

Justice: The Wicked: Pass Over

Justice: The Wicked: Scorn

Justice: To be Done in Buying and Selling

Justice: To be Done in Executing Judgment

Justice: To be Done: To Servants

Justice: To be Done: To the Fatherless and Widows

Justice: To be Done: To the Poor

The Justice of God is a Part of his Character

The Justice of God: Acknowledge

The Justice of God: Declared to be without Respect of Persons

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Impartial

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Incomparable

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Incorruptible

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Plenteous

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: The Habitation of his Throne

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Undeviating

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Unfailing

The Justice of God: Denied by the Ungodly

The Justice of God: Exhibited in all his Ways

The Justice of God: Exhibited in Forgiving Sins

The Justice of God: Exhibited in His Government

The Justice of God: Exhibited in His Judgments

The Justice of God: Exhibited in Redemption

The Justice of God: Exhibited in The Final Judgment

The Justice of God: Magnify

The Justice of God: Not to be Sinned Against

Related Terms

Equity (19 Occurrences)

Pervert (18 Occurrences)

Justly (22 Occurrences)

Judicial (2 Occurrences)

Right (4703 Occurrences)

Judgment (430 Occurrences)

Judging (141 Occurrences)

Executes (11 Occurrences)

Deprive (17 Occurrences)

Judge (297 Occurrences)

Suit (15 Occurrences)

Executed (39 Occurrences)

Bribe (27 Occurrences)

Injustice (32 Occurrences)

Sanhedrin (19 Occurrences)

Fatherless (44 Occurrences)

Blindness (7 Occurrences)

Maintain (50 Occurrences)

Execute (83 Occurrences)

Orphan (25 Occurrences)

Quench (14 Occurrences)

Vindication (14 Occurrences)

Upheld (15 Occurrences)

Wrest (8 Occurrences)

Reconcilation

Administered (9 Occurrences)

Atonement (112 Occurrences)

Oppressor (28 Occurrences)

Perverted (26 Occurrences)

Loves (97 Occurrences)

Uphold (30 Occurrences)

Dike

Due (93 Occurrences)

Needy (83 Occurrences)

Unjust (44 Occurrences)

Oppressed (81 Occurrences)

Widow (71 Occurrences)

Paths (65 Occurrences)

Ought (130 Occurrences)

Just (1529 Occurrences)

Living (3112 Occurrences)

Latter (91 Occurrences)

Wick (10 Occurrences)

Ignored (6 Occurrences)

Fugitive (12 Occurrences)

Tyrannize (1 Occurrence)

Righteously (22 Occurrences)

Robbed (27 Occurrences)

Establishing (18 Occurrences)

Diadem (9 Occurrences)

Mall (1 Occurrence)

Moderately (1 Occurrence)

Mint (2 Occurrences)

Paralyzed (11 Occurrences)

Practiced (22 Occurrences)

Partial (14 Occurrences)

Punishment (417 Occurrences)

Prevails (6 Occurrences)

Bribes (14 Occurrences)

Beset (16 Occurrences)

Conscience (36 Occurrences)

Controversy (21 Occurrences)

Chastisement (24 Occurrences)

Chastening (11 Occurrences)

Alms (13 Occurrences)

Almsgiving (3 Occurrences)

Administer (10 Occurrences)

Surrender (18 Occurrences)

Dispute (37 Occurrences)

Woe (102 Occurrences)

Affliction (120 Occurrences)

Violence (98 Occurrences)

Sanctification (13 Occurrences)

Wormwood (10 Occurrences)

Gate (248 Occurrences)

Oppression (67 Occurrences)

Habitation (90 Occurrences)

Delighted (56 Occurrences)

Deny (48 Occurrences)

Justice: God: Gives Wisdom to Execute
Top of Page
Top of Page