387 Quotes About Righteousness

Justice and righteousness” was never meant to be the work of only one person, or one part of society. It should be the foundation of how everyone stewards their lives, as well as an integral, normal part of all of society. Every aspect of this world needs God’s “justice and righteousness.

God wants us to live in the world the way He designed it to be enjoyed. His design has boundaries, yes, but living within these boundaries does not constrict our freedom; it expands it.

Western views of justice are primarily focused on how things should be done—laws, rules, and what should happen when laws are broken. In Hebrew thought, justice is focused on what life should be like. Justice in the Hebrew world was concerned not just with laws, but with enhancing all human life, especially the social world.

Doing justice” meant not only “not doing wrong,” but also actively doing right and restoring what is broken.

God intended the entire culture of Israel to learn and teach how to do justice in a way that shaped their hearts as well as their behavior.

People took ownership of the shalom and wholeness of their community; and, if something was wrong, they worked to right it, even if it wasn’t their fault.

Biblical righteousness has much more to do with social morality and justice and is foundational to relationship. It is demonstrated through positive, constructive action, not merely refraining from destructive behavior.

As I started to learn more about biblical justice and righteousness, my picture changed from an angry, faraway, law-obsessed king to a loving Creator who would go to any length to restore relationship with His sons and daughters and to make the world right again.

From the beginning, God’s justice has been transformational -- restoring the world back to right again and covenantal -- restoring our relationships with Him and others.