GOD IS A GOD OF JUSTICE & HE MADE "YOU" THE SALT OF THE EARTH!

GOD IS A GOD OF JUSTICE:

HE MAKES THE RIGHTEOUS THE SALT OF THE EARTH

                             

“… Abraham approached and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous people within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?  Far be it from You to do such a thing, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the entire place on their account.” ...Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once: suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten...” (Genesis 18:23-32 NASB).                                                                    

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God’s JUDGEMENT is HIS RESPONSE to the WRONGS, SINS, and INJUSTICES of the wicked and unrepentant. “… Abraham approached and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous people within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?  Far be it from You to do such a thing, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the entire place on their account...” (Genesis 18:23-32 NASB).

“...Abraham confronted him, “Are you serious? Are you planning on getting rid of the good people right along with the bad? What if there are fifty decent people left in the city; will you lump the good with the bad and get rid of the lot? Wouldn’t you spare the city for the sake of those fifty innocents? I can’t believe you’d do that, kill off the good and the bad alike as if there were no difference between them. Doesn’t the Judge of all the Earth judge with justice?” God said, “If I find fifty decent people in the city of Sodom, I’ll spare the place just for them...” (Genesis 18:23-32 MSG).

God’s JUSTICE exercises MERCY over the righteous. “...So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the entire place on their account...” (Genesis 18:23-32 NASB). “...God said, “If I find fifty decent people in the city of Sodom, I’ll spare the place just for them...” (Genesis 18:23-32 MSG).

Abraham has a conversation with God, the Holy Spirit, about Sodom and Gomorrah. He doesn’t talk about the wicked, but he asks God, who deals JUSTLY, would he destroy the righteous along with the wicked. It is the righteous, who are God’s people and it the righteous who Abraham pleads for. “… Abraham approached and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?...” (Genesis 18:23-32 NASB).

Abraham, being a righteous man himself, boldly pleads for God’s JUSTICE toward the righteous living in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. “...Abraham confronted him, “Are you serious? Are you planning on getting rid of the good people right along with the bad?...” (Genesis 18:23-32 MSG).

Abraham, respectfully, inquires about the JUSTICE of God by starting with fifty righteous and continues until he reduces it to ten righteous in an effect to KNOW God’s standard and depth of MERCY toward his people. “… Abraham approached and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous people within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?  Far be it from You to do such a thing, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the entire place on their account.” ...Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once: suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten...” (Genesis 18:23-32 NASB).                                                                    

God, the Holy Spirit, is patient, during his fellowship with Abraham and answers every question. Abraham is humbled that God would take the time to allow for his questions, a mere mortal. “..And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am only dust and ashes...” (Genesis 18:27 NASB). “...Abraham came back, “Do I, a mere mortal made from a handful of dirt, dare open my mouth again to my Master?...” (Genesis 18:27 MSG).

It is the privilege of sons and daughters of God to come BOLDLY to God, the Holy Spirit’s throne of GRACE and FIND MERCY to HELP in a time of need. “..Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that we may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in time of need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV).

Abraham FULLY exercised his privileges and he was called A FRIEND of God, the Holy Spirit. “...the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God...” (James 2:23). “...Abraham believed God and was set right with God,” includes his action. It’s that weave of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works?...” (James 2:23 MSG).

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was SEEN as God’s WRATH, PUNISHMENT, JUDGEMENT, but it was really an ACT of his JUSTICE that was unfamiliar to his “covenant unity” people who were more accustomed to the MERCY and GRACE side of God’s JUSTICE.

Abraham was NOT unaware of God’s WRATH as an act of JUSTICE, because he’d witnessed it upon neighboring, wicked nations and understood it as his righteous judgement.  “...Indeed this city has been to Me a provocation (incitement) of My anger and My wrath since the day that they built it, even to this day, so that it should be removed from My sight, because of all the evil of the sons of Israel and the sons of Judah which they have done to provoke (incite) Me to anger—they, their kings, their leaders, their priests, their prophets, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They have turned their back to Me and not their face; though I taught them, teaching again and again, they would not listen to accept discipline...” (Jeremiah 32:31-33 NASB).

“... For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness...” (Romans 1:18 NASB).

“...But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself..” (Romans 2:5 NASB).

However, God’s righteous people were COVERED by his MERCY and PROTECTED by his GRACE, which SAVED and DELIVERED them from being destroyed along with the wicked. “...God is ...a very present help in trouble...” (Psalms 46:1 KJV). “…[God is]…Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you can] … take refuge…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

What is NOTEABLE here is that Abraham, a son and friend of God, could GO BOLDLY to HIM, the Father and Holy Spirit and remind him of his promised MERCY upon the RIGHTEOUS. “..Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that we may obtain mercy…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). “…The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy…” (Psalms 103:8 KJV). “…For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him…” (Psalms 103:11 KJV). “…But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children…” (Psalms 103:17 KJV).

“….call upon me …and pray unto me and I will [LISTEN] unto you…” (Jeremiah 29:12-13 KJV). “...I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you.....” (Hosea 14:5-9 NASB).

 “...Abraham approached and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? ^....So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the entire place on their account.” ...And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”  ...And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.”...And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”...And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.”...And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten...” (Genesis 18:23-32 NASB).

God who is a God of JUSTICE told Abraham he would SPARE the WHOLE COUNTRY in an ACT of MERCY toward his righteous ones. “...he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy....” (Titus 3:5 NIV).

Placing the righteous in cities and nations of the WORLD is also a demonstration of God’s JUSTICE. Because of his righteous people, his destruction of those cities and nations are DELAYED, which actually gives the wicked and unrepentant a CHANCE to GET RIGHT with God, the Holy Spirit.

Sodom and Gomorrah was DESTROYED because there was NO righteous in it! NOT EVEN TEN RIGHTEOUS.  “...And the Lord said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave...” (Genesis 18:20 NASB). “...And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's (righteous) sake...” (Genesis 18:32-33 KJV).“...we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”...” (Genesis 19:1 -29 NASB).

“...Then the two men said to Lot, “Whom else do you have here? A son-in-law and your sons and daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; ...So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, and said, “Up, get out of this place, for the Lord is destroying the city.” But he appeared to his sons-in-law to be joking. When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.” But he hesitated. So the men grasped his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, because the compassion of the Lord was upon him; and they brought him out and put him outside the city.  When they had brought them outside, one said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the surrounding area; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away.”  “...Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah from the Lord out of heaven,  and He overthrew those cities, and all the surrounding area, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground ...Now Abraham got up early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the Lord; and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the surrounding area; and behold, he saw the smoke of the land ascended like the smoke of a furnace. So it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the surrounding area, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the destruction, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived...” (Genesis 19:1 -29 NASB).

WHO ARE the RIGHTEOUS? “...God’s wonderful ...gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ...” (Romans 5:17 NLT). “... [Jesus made]... it possible for many to be counted righteous…” (Isaiah 53:11 NLT). “...[God’s people are]....the righteousness of God…” “in” Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

RIGHTEOUSNESS is a FREE GIFT which comes from God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ. “...God’s wonderful ...gift of righteousness, ...through ...Jesus Christ...” (Romans 5:17 NLT). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (Jesus) “INTO” [Y]OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The Spirit of God dwell[s] in [his people, which “IS” the gift of righteousness)…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  

“…But he(she) that is joined unto the Lord is ONE (righteous) SPIRIT….” (1 Corinthians 6:17). “...renew a right (righteous) spirit within me....” (Psalms 51 KJV). “..Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

“… [He sent the] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT). “...God, who hath reconciled [his people]... to himself by Jesus Christ...” (2 Corinthians 5:18 KJV). . “...God’s wonderful ...gift of righteousness, ...through ...Jesus Christ...” (Romans 5:17 NLT).

 “...And you were [lost and spiritually]... dead in your offenses and sins,  in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive (righteous) together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)...” (Ephesians 2:1-5 NASB).

When you BECOME RIGHTEOUS how has God, the INDWELLING Holy Spirit, changed YOU to impact the environments, families, communities, cities, and nations in WHICH you LIVE?“… You are the light of the world ..." (Matthew 5:14 KJV). “… [You].....serve as signs … from the Lord …” (Isaiah 8:18 NLT). “…[YOU are a NEW CREATION that]...DISPLAYS God’s power … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…[you are].... a BLESSING…” (Psalms 3:8 KJV; Psalms 21:6, Proverbs 10:6 NASB). “…[You are a WITNESS]... that everything [you]… have IS A GIFT “FROM” [God]…” (John 17:6-9 NLT). “…[You]... are LIKE JESUS…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).“…by the GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).

How are the righteous like a LIGHT do? “…LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE before men, that they may see your good works…” (Matthew 5:16 KJV). They ARE: “... A Light of revelation...” (LUKE 2:32 NASB).

If the righteous are LIKE Jesus, how did Jesus SHOW he was a LIGHT, a SIGN, a DISPLAYER of God’s power, extremely GIFTED, and a BLESSING?  “…God anointed  Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost (His indwelling SPIRIT) and WITH POWER (His indwelling working POWER). [And Jesus]...went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for GOD (the indwelling Holy Spirit) WAS WITH HIM. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem…” (Acts 10:38-39 KJV).

“...[Jesus also] went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God...” (Luke 8:1 KJV). “.. [Jesus was also a) Light of revelation...” (LUKE 2:32 NASB). “...[Jesus]... revealed God to [the world]…” (John 1:18 NLT). “… [Jesus actually] ...reveal[ed]... [God’s]... thoughts to mankind…” (Amos 4:13 NLT).

“…[Jesus also] to preach[ed] ...the gospel to the poor; he ...heal[ed] the brokenhearted, ..preach[ed] deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, ...[he]...set at liberty them that [were]... bruised, [he]...preach[ed]... the acceptable year of the Lord…” (John 4:16-21 KJV).

“...the crowds learned about [the GOOD NEWS]... and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing...” (Luke 9:11 KJV). “...And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed...” (Mark 6:56 KJV). “...Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there...” (Matthew 19:2 KJV). “...the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all...” (Luke 6:19 KJV).

“… God  … work[ed through] … [Jesus] … what is pleasing to him [JUSTICE]…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father... [that DWEL[T] within JESUS]… he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

If the righteous are LIKE Jesus, how can they begin to SHOW they are a LIGHT, a SIGN, a DISPLAYER of God’s power, extremely GIFTED, and a BLESSING too?   They are to “… [change or transform]… into the SAME IMAGE …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV).)  “…[the]…image of HIS SON (Jesus)...” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “…[and into the]…fullness of CHRIST…” (Ephesians 4:14 NIV). By “… GROW[ING] (developing)... in the GRACE and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” (2 Timothy 3:18 NIV).

Are God’s RIGHTEOUS people a WITNESS of God’s JUSTICE? “…He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8 KJV). “…O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God…” (Micah 6:8 NLT).

Why would God’s righteous people BE so JUST and MERCIFUL? God, the Holy Spirit is RICH in MERCY and JUST in ALL his ways! “... RICH IN MERCY… [because of]... his great love…had quickened [mankind] together with Christ (by grace and mercy are ye saved)…” (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV). “…Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever …” (Micah 7:18 KJV). “...HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV).  

“…everything he does is right and all his ways are just....” (Daniel 4 NIV).  “...all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he...” (Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).  “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).

God’s RIGHTEOUS people are SENT into different situations and circumstances of life, families, friendships, communities, cities, or nations to become BLESSINGS to those people and places. “… [God’s]...BLESSING is upon THY PEOPLE…” (Psalms 3:8 KJV). “…YOU (God, the Holy Spirit) MAKE [your righteous people]… “MOST” BLESSED forever; …” (Psalms 21:6 NASB). “…You surround [your righteous people]… WITH FAVOR as with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB). “...God’s wonderful ...gift of righteousness, ...through ...Jesus Christ...” (Romans 5:17 NLT).

The REDEEMED are MEANT to become A BLESSING, wherever they are, because they are God’s righteous child through Christ Jesus. “…I will BLESS thee …and thou shalt be a BLESSING…” (Genesis 12:2-3 KJV).

God, the Holy Spirit, for his righteous children, will BLESS EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY around for THEIR SAKE. For example: “…The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.   …” (Genesis 39:2-6 NLT).   “….the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate…” (Genesis 39:2-6 NLT).

Like Joseph, All of god’s righteous sons and daughters ARE that kind of BLESSING!! No matter WHERE you ARE; God’s presence is THERE too and will ALWAYS BLESS your environments. “…you will be a blessing…” (Genesis 12:2 NIV). “…He that is joined unto the LORD is ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…God’s Spirit dwells in you?...” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB). God will “…never leave nor forsake you… …” (Hebrews 13:5).

God’s presence, his goodnesses, and his working power will ALWAYS BLESS the life around his righteous children. “….the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had…” (Genesis 39:2-6 NLT).

“…BLESSINGS are on the head of the righteous…” (Proverbs 10:6 NASB).  “…You surround [your  righteous people] ... WITH FAVOR as with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB). “...God’s wonderful ...gift of righteousness, ...through ...Jesus Christ...” (Romans 5:17 NLT).

God’s people “are” BLESSINGS, which means they automatically BLESS the environments wherever they are. God blessed Potipher’s house (atmosphere) for the sake of his righteous servant,  Joseph’s. “….the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake…” (Genesis 39:2-6 NLT).

God makes his people A BLESSING through his indwelling Holy Spirit, which MAKES his righteous children PROSPEROUS (benefit) in ALL they DO. “…The Lord made all that he “did”  to prosper in his hand…” (Genesis 39:3 KJV).

The biggest issue with God’s people, particularly within challenging situations and circumstances, is HOLDING and MAINTAINING their trust in and dependency upon God’s unchanging truth.  “…you will be a blessing…” (Genesis 12:2 NIV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).   “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “… he remains faithful [INSIDE ALL situations and circumstances], for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). “…The plans [God has]…for ... [his righteous ones are]…plans to prosper [them]... and not to harm [them], plans to give [them]... HOPE and a future...” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

“...For I know the thoughts that I think toward [my righteous sons and daughters], saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give [them]... an expected end...” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).

“…all things work together for GOOD to them that LOVE GOD, to them who are THE CALLED to his purpose...” (Romans 8:28 KJV).

 “…[You, God’s righteous sons and daughters]…will receive NOW in return (in this life, no matter where you are or what’s happening,) a hundred times as many houses, brother, sisters, mothers, children, and property…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).

“….If God is for us, who [or what]... can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NIV).

God, the Holy Spirit, who BLESSES his righteous children ALWAYS is the SAME in their days of PROSPERITY as he is in their DAYS of ADVERSITY. “..In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider-- God has made the one as well as the other…” (Ecclesiastes 7:14  NASB). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  

For God’s righteous ONES, “…all things [are, without a doubt]...work[ing]... together for GOOD to them (the righteous ones) that LOVE GOD, to them who are THE CALLED to his purpose...” (Romans 8:28 KJV).

Remember God made a promise to Habakkuk that EVERYTHING would be already. “...And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry...” (Habakkuk 2:2-3 KJV).

God TOLD Habakkuk that the RIGHTEOUS, in the days of trouble, are to CONTINUE to LIVE BY FAITH.  “..Behold, his soul (the wicked soul) which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith...” (Habakkuk 2:4 KJV). “..For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith...” (Romans 10:17 KJV). “...But that no man (woman) is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith...” (Galatians 3:11 KJV).  ^“...Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man (woman) draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him...” (Hebrew 10:38 KJV).

The righteous are encouraged to CONTINUE to trust and depend upon God, the Holy Spirit, and his WORD no matter what they SEE or are EXPERIENCING. “…live by faith, not by sight….” (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV).

The righteous are BLESSED with the INDWELLING Holy Spirit that was GIFTED to them to strengthen them to ENDURE their present circumstances with confidence in the God of JUSTICE. “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want…” Philippians 4:11-12 NIV).

HOW? “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

“...He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust...” (Psalm 91 KJV).

“...Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler...” (Psalm 91 KJV).

“… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you] … take refuge; Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

“…[The righteous SHALL] ...know that [God, the holy spirit, through jesus is their]... Saviour …” (Isaiah 60:16 KJV).

“…there is none like unto thee (God, the Holy Spirit)…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “…Jesus Christ (God’s word and promises to his righteous people)... is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).“…so [his righteous people]... will know that [HE “IS”] the Lord [god almighty!!!]…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “…Then [his righteous ones]... will know that [he is] the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).

God’s JUSTICE exercises MERCY on BEHALF of HIS righteous sons and daughters. “...So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the entire place on their account...” (Genesis 18:23-32 NASB). “...God said, “If I find fifty decent people in the city of Sodom, I’ll spare the place just for them...” (Genesis 18:23-32 MSG). “….the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had…” (Genesis 39:2-6 NLT).

“…everything he does is right and all his ways are just....” (Daniel 4 NIV).  “...all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he...” (Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV). “… he remains faithful [to his righteous sons and daughters], for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). “… I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).   “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).

“…Trust in the Lord (the god of justice) with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…You will abound in HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NASB). “…God, the source of HOPE, will fill you completely.... Then you will overflow with confident HOPE through the power of the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NLT).

THE FAITH of God’s righteous people will ALWAYS result in the witness of God’s JUSTICE through his presence, his goodnesses, and his working power in their situations and circumstances. “…HOW MUCH MORE DO I NEED TO SAY? It would take too long to recount THE STORIES OF the FAITH of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets… [Through]… FAITH [in God’s JUSTICE on BEHALF of his people, THEY]...  overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death….” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).

God’s JUDGEMENT is HIS RESPONSE to the WRONGS, SINS, and INJUSTICES of the wicked and unrepentant. “… Abraham approached and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous people within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?  Far be it from You to do such a thing, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the entire place on their account...” (Genesis 18:23-32 NASB).

It is the privilege of sons and daughters of God to come BOLDLY to God, the Holy Spirit’s throne of GRACE and FIND MERCY to HELP in a time of need. “..Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of GRACE, that we may obtain mercy, and find GRACE to help in time of need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV).

And God’s LOVING JUSTICE “WILL” exercise MERCY on behalf of the righteous. “...So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the entire place on their account...” (Genesis 18:23-32 NASB). “...God said, “If I find fifty decent people in the city of Sodom, I’ll spare the place just for them...” (Genesis 18:23-32 MSG).

The RIGHTEOUS are not just PROTECTED from God’s JUSTICE through his ACT of MERCY, but their PROTECTION helps SLOW down God’s JUSTICE, through his WRATH, JUDGEMENT, and PUNISHMENT of the unrepentant and the wicked.

God’s RIGHTEOUS one who are SENT into various place and situations are also an ACT of God’s MERCY. He doesn’t WANT anyone to perish, but it is THEIR CHOICE. “….[God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus came to earth] because HE was], NOT WILLING that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance…” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV).

However, everyone CHOOSES to"…REPENT  AND RETURN, “SO” that your sins may be wiped away…” (Acts 3:19 NASB). “…EXCEPT YE REPENT, ye shall all likewise PERISH…” (Luke 13:3 KJV).

By living HOLY and RIGHTEOUS lives God’s people become LIVING WITNESSES of his JUSTICE as the SALTS of the EARTH! “...Let me tell you why you are here....” (Matthew 5:13 MSG). “...[YOU]... are the salt (preservative) of the earth...” (Matthew 5:13 NASB). “...I will spare the entire place on [the] account...[of my righteous ones]..” (Genesis 18:23-32 NASB). “...I’ll spare the place just for [my righteous ones]...” (Genesis 18:23-32 MSG). “….the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake …” (Genesis 39:2-6 NLT).