Kingdom Culture is Just
Pastor Clark Pfaff

The Character of God

God is love. (1 John 4:8, NIV) 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, NIV)

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them. (John 3:36, NIV) 

Key Point: Biblical Justice is Generous
 

‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the Lord your God.’” (Leviticus 23:22, NIV) 

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.(Luke 12:32-34, NIV)

Key Point: Biblical Justice Recognizes Human Equality

Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. (Deuteronomy 16:19, NIV)

Key Point: Biblical Justice Advocates for Poor

Blessed is the one who considers the poor! (Psalm 41:1, ESV) 

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.(Proverbs 29:7, NIV)

12“When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:12-14, NIV)

Do not exploit the poor because they are poorand do not crush the needy in court,23 for the Lord will take up their caseand will exact life for life. (Proverbs 22:23, NIV)

…will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly (Luke 18:7-8, NIV)

Key Point: Biblical Justice Owns Mutual Responsibility 

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. (Acts 2:22-23, NIV)

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.(Micah 6:8, NIV)  

“Justice without Jesus is just us.” - Michael O. Emerson