GOD IS A GOD OF HOLY JUSTICE: REAPING WHAT YOU SOW?
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“...Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he(she) will also reap. For the one who sows to his (her) own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit...” (Galatians 6:7-8 NASB). “...You have plowed wickedness, you have harvested injustice, You have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your way, in your many warriors...” (Hosea 10:13 NASB). “...So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own schemes...” (Proverbs 1:31 NASB). “...One who sows injustice will reap disaster, And the rod of his fury will perish...” (Proverbs 22:8 NASB).
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The bible says: “...whatever a person sows, this he(she) will also reap...” (Galatians 6:7-8 NASB). God, the Holy Spirit is a God of Holy JUSTICE, which means his spiritual SYSTEM is one of JUSTICE too! God, the Holy Spirit’s, JUSTICE will ALWAYS stand up against unrighteousness and ungodliness. “…If God (WHO IS “JUST”) is for us, who is against us? ... …” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB).
God, the Holy Spirit, is FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS in ALL areas of life and he treats his people with RIGHTEOUSNESS. God doesn’t show favoritism or partiality with HIS PEOPLE, but is equally fair and JUST to them ALL. “...Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality...” (Acts 10:34 NASB). “…There is no partiality with God…” (Romans 2:11 NASB). “…There is no respect of persons with God…” (Romans 2:11 KJV). “…God does not show favoritism…” (Romans 2:11 NLT).
“…This [was ALL]… God’s plan: [Everyone]… who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. [They]…are [ALL]… part of the same body, and enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus...” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT).
God, the Holy Spirt, ENCOURAGES, his people to be JUST to all people too! “...‘Treat one another justly. Love your neighbors. Be compassionate with each other. Don’t take advantage of widows, orphans, visitors, and the poor. Don’t plot and scheme against one another—that’s evil.’...” (Zechariah 7:10 MSG). “...do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’...” (Zechariahs 7:10 NASB).
“…In this world we (god’s people) are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).
“… [Everyone who belongs, to him through Jesus, however, and] … who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children… because THEY BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS…” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT). “……There is NEITHER Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female…” (Galatians 3:26-28 KJV).
“…God SHOWS NO FAVORITISM. In every nation HE ACCEPTS those who fear him and do what is right—…there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all…” (Acts 10:34-36 NLT). “…God is no RESPECTER OF PERSONS: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent … preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)…” (Acts 10:34-36 KJV).
“… [Everyone who belongs, to him through Jesus] … share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children… because THEY BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS…” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT).
One human being HAS NO RIGHT to oppress another human being is GOD’s SIGHT, because NOBODY is righteous. “...There is none righteous, no, not one...” (Romans 3:10 KJV). God is a JUST God and HIS spiritual system is one of JUSTICE, which means OPPRESSORS will have to PAY TRIBUTE to God’s system of spiritual JUSTICE. “...For after all it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you...” (2 Thessalonians 1:6 NASB). “...it is written: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord...” (Romans 12:19 NASB). “…do them (my people NO) wrong...” and “….touch not mine anointed (his righteous children who are set apart for his service) and do…[them] no harm.” (Psalm 105:14-15 KJV).
Remember, “...There is none righteous, no, not one...” (Romans 3:10 KJV). “...I want to do what is good, but I don’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “...Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight...” (Romans 3:20 KJV).
“...[All people who are made RIGHT,]... were justified (by faith and the [indwelling Holy] Spirit of our God ...” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV).
God, the Holy Spirit, is NOT a God of revenge, but of JUSTICE, which means his system of spiritual justice with ALWAYS find a way to RIGHT the WRONGS, without favoritism or partiality. “...For the one who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he (she) has done, and that without partiality...” (Colossians 3:25 NASB).
It is OBVIOUS that God’s system of spiritual justice WORKS together with God’s HOLY and RIGHTEOUS nature. God, the Holy Spirit, wouldn’t be holy, or righteous IF he wasn’t, also, JUST. “...Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your (God, the Holy Spirit’s) throne; Mercy and truth go before You...” (Psalms 89:14 NASB).
“...For I, the Lord, love justice...” (Isaiah 61:8 NIV). When Adam and Eve choose to reject his holy commandments, God’s system of spiritual justice did NOT overlook their transgression. From God, the Holy Spirit’s spiritual point of view JUSTICE was their consequence.
“...whatever a person sows, this he(she) will also reap. ..” (Galatians 6:7-8 NASB). “...For the one who sows to his (her) own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh...” (Galatians 6:7-8 NASB). “...You have plowed wickedness, you have harvested injustice...” (Hosea 10:13 NASB). “...they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own schemes...” (Proverbs 1:31 NASB). “...One who sows injustice will reap disaster...” (Proverbs 22:8 NASB).
JUSTICE is not revenge, but it is the SYSTEM God has SET in PLACE to right the WRONGS. God LOVES being JUST, because it is WHO GOD is, therefore, it is an immutable part of his divine character. “...justice will be upheld…” (Job 36:16-21 NLT). “… [god, the holy spirit]...who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV). “…everything he (God, the Holy Spirit) does is right and all his ways are just....” (Daniel 4 NIV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
Without God’s system of JUSTICE sin would forever go UNCHECKED and eventually triumph over GOOD. Thus, God is a God of JUSTICE and he expects the SAME from his people. “…his ways are just....” (Daniel 4 NIV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
“…O people [of God], 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). “…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). “...because HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV).
There is an REWARD for obedience and there is a REWARD for disobedience. “...Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he(she) will also reap. For the one who sows to his (her) own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit...” (Galatians 6:7-8 NASB). “...You have plowed wickedness, you have harvested injustice, You have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your way, in your many warriors...” (Hosea 10:13 NASB). “...So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own schemes...” (Proverbs 1:31 NASB). “...One who sows injustice will reap disaster, And the rod of his fury will perish...” (Proverbs 22:8 NASB).
JUSTICE in God’s SYSTEM is NOT simply about getting what you RIGHTFULLY deserve or retribution. What most people and even the bible CALLS God’s wrath, punishment, judgement, or retribution is really HOW God’s JUSTICE responds to people’s OWN choices and actions. “... whatever a person sows, this he(she) will also reap (this is God’s JUSTICE) ...” (Galatians 6:7-8 NASB). “...You have plowed wickedness, you have harvested injustice (God’s JUSTICE)...” (Hosea 10:13 NASB). “...So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way. (God’s JUSTICE)..” (Proverbs 1:31 NASB). “...One who sows injustice will reap disaster (God’s Justice)...” (Proverbs 22:8 NASB).
“ …[God’s people said:]... will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…[God said:].... my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. ….” (JEREMIAH 5:23 NLT). “…My people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
“…They have turned away and ABANDONED me….” (JEREMIAH 5:23 NLT). “...[My people]… FORGOT all about ME,” says the Lord…” (Hosea 2:13 NLT). “…for years on end my people have FORGOTten ME…” (Jeremiah 2:32 NLT).
“…They ABANDONED ME and did not obey my word….” (JEREMIAH 16:11 NLT). “…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT).
“…. Again and again he rescued them ...Even so, he pitied them in their distress and listened to their cries. He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love…” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT).
“…the righteous CRY and Lord the heareth and delivereth them out of ALL their troubles…” (Psalms 34:17 KJV). “…Again and again [God, the Holy Spirit] rescued them…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT).
Yet, HIS PEOPLE “... [continually]... chose to rebel against him... [until]... they were finally destroyed by their sin (god’s Justice)…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT). “...You have plowed wickedness, you have harvested injustice (God’s JUSTICE)...” (Hosea 10:13 NASB).
Yes, there will be a FINAL JUSTICE (or JUDGEMENT), but God’s system of spiritual justice is ALWAYS working to GIVE people what their RIGHTFUL reward. “... whatever a person sows, this he(she) will also reap (this is God’s JUSTICE. This is RIGHT) ...” (Galatians 6:7-8 NASB).
What SEEMS like God’s wrath, punishment, judgement, or retribution is God’s JUSTICE responding to mankind’s OWN choices and actions. God’s JUSTICE is both future and it is WORKING in the HERE and NOW.
God, the Holy Spirit’s, system of spiritual justice will ALWAYS find a way to RIGHT the WRONGS, without favoritism or partiality. “...For the one who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he (she) has done, and that without partiality...” (Colossians 3:25 NASB).
The unrighteous, ungodly, and unjust people who DO WRONG often SEEM to go on and on and on without FACING or ANSWERING to God’s system of JUSTICE. King AHAB, an EVIL leader, reigned for YEARS in Samaria and God’s people SEEMED to be the one’s FACING God’s system of justice. “...In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years...” (1 Kings 16:29 NIV). “...Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel in the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah. Ahab son of Omri was king over Israel for twenty-two years. He ruled from Samaria. Ahab son of Omri did even more open evil before God than anyone yet—a new champion in evil! It wasn’t enough for him to copy the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat; no, he went all out, first by marrying Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and then by serving and worshiping the god Baal. He built a temple for Baal in Samaria, and then furnished it with an altar for Baal. Worse, he went on and built a shrine to the sacred whore Asherah. He made the God of Israel angrier than all the previous kings of Israel put together...” (1 Kings 16:29-33 MSG).
The righteous cried
out: “...How long, Lord, will the wicked,
how
long will the wicked be jubilant?...”
(Psalms 94:3 NIV). “...God, the wicked get away with
murder— how long will you let this go on? They brag
and boast and crow about their crimes!...”
(Psalms 94:3-4 MSG).
“...But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to then and drink up waters in abundance. They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?” This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply...” (Psalms 73:2-16 NIV).
God, the Holy Spirit, is a God of JUSTICE. Looking at the wicked, their evil deeds, their worldly privileges, or their temporary comforts is NOT a picture of TRUTH. God’s system of spiritual justice is WORKING, right NOW! “...[when]... I entered the sanctuary of God (his presence); then I understood their (the wicked) final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds...” (Psalms 73:17-27 NIV).
“…If God (who is JUST) is for us, who is against us? ... …” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “...No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper...” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV). “…He helps me (his people)…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). “…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [his people]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer...[your god of justice]…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
“...Don’t worry, judgment and justice will be upheld…” (Job 36:16-21 NLT). “… entrust yourself] to him who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV).
“….Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, YE HAVE DONE IT TO ME.” (Matthew 25:40 KJV).
“...Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God, for it is written: "Vengeance (making things JUST) belongeth unto to me (God, the Holy Spirit); I will recompense (make it JUST)," saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19 ASV).
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