Justice, as a concept, stirs conflicting emotions and images in our minds. It is often associated with fairness and equity, symbolized by the blindfolded Lady Justice holding balanced scales and a sword, representing fair judgment and the authority to punish. Justice is viewed as a virtue that promises rectitude, a quality we generally admire because it assures that wrongdoers will face consequences. However, the reality often falls short of this ideal, as true justice seems rare in practice. Heinous crimes may go unpunished, while minor infractions by law-abiding individuals are harshly penalized, leading to doubts about whether real justice exists. True justice, however, does exist, though it is not of human origin. Divine justice is always right and true, yet it leans heavily toward mercy and kindness. This balance is possible because the penalty for sin has been paid by our Creator, Jesus Christ, through His sacrifice. God demands justice, but He has the liberty to extend mercy since justice has been satisfied through Christ. As it is written, God, rich in mercy and love, made us alive together with Christ by grace, raising us up to show the exceeding riches of His kindness. As followers of Christ, we strive to imitate God and His justice, aiming to make right judgments. This aspiration has influenced not only personal conduct but also societal structures. Many nations and kingdoms have extracted principles of justice from Scripture, embedding them into governmental laws and judicial systems. These biblical principles form the foundation of policies and laws in various governments, reflecting an intent to establish just societies based on divine standards. God is the ultimate authority and foundation of justice, having created all things and established the environment in which we live. All authority for law and justice resides in Him. His laws delineate right from wrong, beginning with the simplest commands given to humanity. These laws are true, righteous, and enduring, designed to teach and produce improved life and character. God's law is not against us but for our good, aiming to transform us internally into beings of character rather than mere law-keepers. Sin, or the breaking of law, incurs penalties and consequences that ripple beyond the act itself, affecting others and extending through generations. These consequences are inherent, not merely imposed, revealing the destructive nature of sin. God's judgment is swift and fair, as He knows all motivations and actions, yet He often withholds immediate execution of the penalty to allow for repentance. His longsuffering nature desires that none perish but that all come to repentance, granting time for change and forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ. Further principles of justice include the prohibition of vigilantism, reserving the execution of judgment to constituted authority, which in ultimate terms is God Himself. Equity under the law ensures that all are treated equally, without prejudice or preferential treatment, regardless of external circumstances. Additionally, a structured system of courts, as advised in Scripture, handles cases of varying complexity, teaching us to seek counsel from the wise and experienced when our own judgment is insufficient. Finally, Christ commands us to judge with righteous judgment, discerning truth and righteousness in all matters by applying these divine principles.

Is this justice? Many would argue it is not, pointing to a profound sense of injustice in the case of the Barbours, where severe child abuse resulted in minimal punishment. The lenient sentencing, with Douglas Barbour receiving five years' probation and Kristen Barbour initially sentenced to six to twelve months in jail, later modified to work release, raises questions about fairness. Child advocates decry this as far too merciful, almost less than a slap on the wrist, reflecting a decline in values, especially concerning child protection. Others see it as evidence of inherent racism within the criminal justice system, where the well-being of two Ethiopian children appears to matter little compared to the status of their affluent, suburban adoptive parents. All authority for law and justice resides in God, as He is our Creator. His Word establishes right and wrong. Breaking a law incurs a penalty, and the penalty for sin is death. Sinful actions, including crimes, carry inherent consequences beyond legal penalties, following the principle of cause and effect. Execution of judgment is delegated to constituted authority, meaning not everyone has the power to judge or execute judgments. Everyone is equal under the law, a principle of equity ensuring one law applies to all. Courts should be organized hierarchically to handle cases of increasing difficulty, recognizing that not every court or person is qualified to judge every situation. The principle of proportionate restitution, or the law of retaliation, dictates that punishment should correspond in degree and kind to the offense. Under God's law, this often meant financial compensation rather than physical retaliation, ensuring the punishment fits the crime while stopping further violence. Jesus Christ modifies this in the New Testament, teaching that we should not demand our rights or seek retaliation, but rather suffer wrong and avoid intensifying conflict, even going above and beyond in service to others. This high standard requires a humble attitude, achievable only with the power of God's Spirit. Further principles of justice include the prohibition of perjury, as lying prevents the truth from prevailing, which is central to godly justice. Judges must not rule to please the mob or majority opinion but must uphold the truth, even if it means making unpopular decisions. Equity extends across social strata, ensuring neither the poor nor the rich receive partiality in judgment. Even enemies are entitled to true justice, with personal feelings set aside to focus solely on the actions and crimes at hand. Bribes are condemned, as they blind and pervert justice, causing truth to lose. A person cannot be convicted on the testimony of a single witness; at least two or three witnesses are required to establish a matter, deterring baseless accusations and clearing courts of personal vendettas. False accusations and perjury carry stiff penalties to further deter misuse of the justice system. Negligence is punishable, as failing to prevent harm through carelessness is akin to committing a harmful act, emphasizing responsibility to ensure safety. Punishment must be swift, harsh, public, and observed by the judge to deter crime and maintain justice, yet it must not exceed what is imposed to preserve the dignity of the offender. A just judge hears both sides of a story, avoiding hasty conclusions based on initial accounts. God judges each person individually according to their own behavior, cautioning against sweeping judgments that encompass entire families or groups. These principles of justice are vital, as we are being prepared to judge in the future, learning to discern and evaluate matters in a godly way even now, in the matters of this life.

Justice, as understood biblically, is the conformity to a standard, specifically God's own holy character, rather than merely human notions of fairness or laws. This standard is reflected in His Word and commandments, which embody His righteousness. God's actions are always consistent with who He is—absolute purity—making it impossible for Him to commit an unjust act. To act unfairly would be for Him to cease being God, as injustice is beyond His nature. In His dealings, justice is often seen in the maintenance of what is just, sometimes perceived as the restoration of equality, though not always aligning with human expectations of fairness. For instance, in cases like Nadab and Abihu, Ananias and Sapphira, and Uzza, God's justice may appear harsh or lacking in fairness at first glance. Yet, His judgments are measured against His holy character, ensuring they are always righteous. God's justice is also evident in His clear warnings to mankind about the consequences of sin. Numerous commands in Scripture outline severe penalties, such as death for offenses ranging from striking parents to blasphemy, demonstrating that He has explicitly stated the wages of sin. From the beginning, with Adam and Eve, the penalty for sin was instant death, showing that all sin is deemed a capital offense in His eyes. Though justice was delayed for Adam and Eve through mercy, the penalty remained, as all have sinned and face death. Furthermore, God's justice does not always manifest immediately; sometimes He delays it to allow grace to work, as seen in His patience with Sodom and Gomorrah, the Amorites, and humanity before the flood. His forbearance is designed to lead to repentance, though human nature often misinterprets this patience as leniency. His justice, while slow at times, never ceases to operate, ensuring that sin is addressed according to His righteous standard. Even in acts of mercy, such as sparing Lot and his family, God's justice is not violated, for mercy does no violence to righteousness. He never acts with injustice, as His judgments remain in harmony with His holy character. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ stands as the most profound example of divine justice, where sin was punished without partiality, even when borne by His innocent Son, demonstrating that God cannot overlook sin under any circumstance. Ultimately, God's justice may seem unusual to human perception because His normal activity involves far more mercy. Yet, no one receives injustice from His hand. His judgments are perfectly fair, rooted in His unchanging nature, and call for trust in His decisions, even when they appear harsh or when the innocent suffer alongside the guilty.