We often perceive that love and mercy must be separate, at least in part, from justice and judgment. Justice and judgment have been misconstrued and misunderstood through lenses of fear, misunderstanding, and lack of knowledge of the heart of God. Justice and mercy cannot be separated. Love and judgment are partners. The justice of God IS the mercy of God, and visa versa.
Sometimes we are more comfortable with the word justice than we are with judgment. But judgment from the God of Love is not to be feared. There is no fear in love. Yet, He is the Just Judge. Justice is the establishment of the heart of God and His judgments are the means by which it is carried out. They cannot be separated and are to be celebrated and ushered in by US!
The cross was the greatest judgment ever pronounced. It was (from before the foundations of the world were laid), and remains (for all eternity), the greatest act and definition of justice. It is the establishment of justice.
The justice of God makes all the wrong things right and all the dark things light. The judgment of God on sickness is healing, and that is the justice of God. The judgment of God on separation from love is salvation and adoption into His heart and family forever, and that is the justice of God. The judgment of God on addiction and bondage is freedom and grace, and that is the justice of God.
So when we call for the justice of God, we are calling for the joy, love, mercy, and grace of God to come and make all the wrong things right.
Love, justice, and judgement cannot be separated. And we get to partner with Him to bring His heart into this world and break chains, bring reconciliation, healing, and salvation to the lost and hurting. We get to call forth the judgment and justice of God to heal lands and nations with the absolute and unshakeable love of Jesus.
If your theology around judgment and justice involves fear, it may be time to take a look at the glorious love of God and rethink so we can agree with His love in establishing it on the earth to the fullest measure.
It's time to ring the bells of justice!
© Elisabeth Cooper 2017
