Justly seems like such a formal word. One that we'd use if we were talking about leadership or writing an important business document. It's not a word we use every day.
God didn't just command us to act justly if we were leaders or only when we did important things. He desires us to act justly in everything we do, no matter if we're jobless or the President.
In all of our actions, there's at least one wrong way and one proper way. Choosing the proper or right way to do something is acting justly.
It's actually paying attention and actively engaging with my brother or nieces when they want to spend time with me, instead of doing stuff on my phone. It's completing my tasks responsibly - on time, without grumbling, and to my fullest. It's avoiding unnecessary actions and activities that could hurt or offend someone.
God calls us to act justly in our everyday life, even in the moments where no one seems to be looking or it only affects us.
As we remember our journey, it can also help us act justly. Seeing God’s righteousness in action, gives us an example of how we’re to live. While experiencing others acting unjustly, can motivate us to strongly value justness.
The Bible also teaches us about acting justly. Proverbs 2 says that if we truly search for wisdom, God will reveal to us how to act justly. Jesus explains, in Matthew, loving God with everything we are and loving others are the two greatest commandments and all other commands are fulfilled by living them out. This means that acting in justness is comprised of these two commands. In 2 Thessalonians, we’re told to seek justice and correct oppression. While 1 John 3 alerts us that sin is the opposite of justness.
Five things we can do to act more justly are: One, learn to do what’s right. Acting justly may seem overwhelming, but letting God teach us the right way and choosing to do what’s right, moment by moment, can help. Two, work through the struggle of sin. We’re called to leave our sinful desires behind us, but we’ll often experience sin struggles. As we act in justness, we must push through these struggles and not give into them. Three, be in control of ourselves. Being just isn’t natural to us. Consequently, we must control ourselves and our work ethic, so that we can choose to act justly. Four, do everything for God. Sometimes, we feel that what we do doesn’t matter, and this feeling can cause us to do things haphazardly. However, doing everything to honor God, no matter it’s importance, can cause us to work harder or do it more justly. Five, continue to seek God. We can’t do any of these things without constantly looking to God and seeking His ways.
Here’s what not to do when acting justly: Believe you are doing it to justify yourself – If you have faith that Jesus died and rose again to save us from our sins, then He is who justifies you, not what you do. Not loving at the same time – God commands us to do everything in love, doing things without love gains you nothing. Do the minimum or below – You can’t act justly if you’re not doing anything; and, doing only the bare minimum of what must be done isn’t acting in justness either.
God’s Guidance:
Micah 6:8 (NIV) – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Proverbs 2:3-11 (ESV) – “yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you,”
Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV) – ““Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Isaiah 1:16-17 (ESV) – “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.”
1 John 3:4 (ESV) – “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.”
2 Thessalonians 3:11 (NASB) – “For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now we command and exhort such persons in the Lord Jesus Christ to work peacefully and eat their own bread.”
Colossians 3:23 (ESV) – “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,”
Romans 5:1 (ESV) – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV) – “If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”
1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV) – “Let all that you do be done in love.”
Application:
1. Make an effort to search out godly wisdom through the Bible, godly mentors, and through quiet times with God
2. Focus on doing everything for God, no matter what it is, and doing your best at it
3. Be reflective on how just you act towards others and in your work ethic, ask God to show you how you can improve
Strength Point:
Acting justly is done moment by moment, in the small tasks and in the important projects, in love, and with God leading you.
Reflection Question:
What actions or activities could you be more just in?
Prayer Prompt:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for being the perfect example of how to act justly! You do everything right and proper. I’m sorry for not trying to lead a life where I act justly. I want to live a life that honors You, and I know You value justness. I pray that I wouldn’t do things haphazardly, but properly and __. Help me to do better at acting in fairness and doing things in the right way, so that others might glorify You because of how I carry out tasks. Let me be motivated to act more justly, by the sadness of witnessing injustices and __. Teach me how to act justly in how I treat others. Prompt my heart to You revealing how and in what areas of my life I need to act more justly. Thank You for calling us to goodness and justness. You don’t expect us to do this on our own, but continue to transform us to be more like You! I love You always! In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen.
A Prayer to Pray over Others:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for being the perfect example of how to act justly! You do everything right and proper. Help my friend to focus on leading a life where they act justly. Create a desire in their hearts to live a life that honors You, understanding that You value justness. I pray that my friend wouldn’t do things haphazardly, but properly and responsibly. Help them to do better at acting in fairness and doing things in the right way, so that others might glorify You because of how they carry out tasks. Let them be motivated to act more justly, by the sadness of witnessing injustices. Teach my friend how to act justly in how they treat others. Prompt their heart to You revealing how and in what areas of their life they need to act more justly. Thank You for calling us to goodness and justness. You don’t expect us to do this on our own, but continue to transform us to be more like You! I love You always, Lord! In Your Name, Jesus, I pray, amen.
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