A Beautiful Community: Righteous and Just - The Rigth Hand of God

This past Sunday, I drew attention to the Scripture’s teaching that in all moments of iniquity, transgression, and sin (Ex. 34:7), God is the aggrieved party. In other words, when righteousness is violated, God and his glory should be our goal in pursuing justice. Justice in the Christian community isn’t about equity of outcomes, but about returning to alignment with God’s character (righteousness). This means that some issues aren’t black and white. Let me illustrate with poverty in America. Postmodern Social Justice theory argues for equity of outcome, saying there shouldn’t be billionaires in the world, but that wealth should be limited and redistributed to the poor. We’re seeing this play out in cities like Seattle and New York with recently elected mayors. But if God is the aggrieved party, then we have to balance some biblical teaching. For example, Paul tells the Thessalonians that if a person doesn’t work, they don't eat (2 Thess. 3:10, Prov. 6:6-11). At the same time, God urges his people not to oppress the poor by taking advantage of them in the courts, charging them high interest, withholding the wages of day laborers, etc (Dt. 24). He also urges us toward generosity in feeding and clothing the poor in their time of need (James 2). Israel had cities designated as store houses where the poor could get food and opportunities for them to glean in the field for their daily bread (Dt. 14, 26). So, if God is the aggrieved party, both the sluggard and the oppressive rich have offended him with their actions, and both should return to his righteousness. Income redistribution isn’t justice because it isn’t modeled after God’s righteousness. 

This Sunday, as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we’ll consider what God is accomplishing through his own right hand, to restore righteousness by bringing justice. Join us as we celebrate the rule of Christ, the one who loves righteousness (Hebrews 1:9).