Micah 6:8
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Proverbs 28:5
“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.”
Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
James 2:1-9
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.”
1. God is the Standard of Justice
• Deuteronomy 32:4 – “The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice.”
• Psalm 89:14 – “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne.”
God’s justice is:
• Holy – He cannot tolerate sin.
• Impartial – He doesn’t favour any group over another.
• Consistent – He never changes with culture or power shifts.
2. Scripture Condemns All Forms of Oppression
• Exodus 22:21-24
• Isaiah 10:1-3
• Amos 5:24 – “Let justice roll down like waters.”
• God’s heart is for the oppressed, but also for repentance by the oppressor.
• When Zacchaeus met Jesus, He didn’t demand revenge; He offered restitution
(Luke 19:8–9).
• Romans 3:9-18 – “all have sinned.”
3. True Justice is Rooted in Righteousness, not Revenge
• Romans 12:19 – “Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God.”
• Proverbs 20:22 – “Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the LORD.”
• Leviticus 19:15 – “Do not be partial to the poor or defer to the great.”
4. Christ: The Just and the Justifier (James 2:1-9)
• Psalm 85:10 – “Righteousness and peace kiss each other.”
• On Calvary, Jesus bore the penalty that justice demanded, and He offered the mercy that sinners could never earn.
• Romans 3:26 calls God “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
• The Gospel is the ultimate example of justice fulfilled and mercy extended.
• Ephesians 2:14-16 says that Christ “has broken down the dividing wall of hostility” between peoples. That means the deepest reconciliation – between races, cultures classes and genders – can’t come through politics or economics, but through the transforming power of the Gospel.
Application:
• If our churches reflect the same racial divisions as our society, then we have not yet grasped the power of the cross.
• The Church must be the living proof that Jesus unites what sin divides.
5. The Church’s Calling: To Embody Just Mercy
• Micah 6:8 “Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.”
6. The South African Context
Practical commitments for believers:• Acknowledge and lament past wrongs.
• Forgive, even when it costs us.
• Reject racial pride and victim mentality alike.
• Stand for integrity and competence, not favouritism.
• Work for unity in our churches that models the Gospel.
7. The Hope of the Kingdom
• Genesis 18:25 “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”
• Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Conclusion
1. God alone defines justice.
2. The Bible condemns every form of oppression.
3. True justice is impartial, not vengeful.
4. Christ fulfils justice and offers mercy.
5.The Church must live out just mercy daily.
6. In South Africa, we must reject both old and new injustices and model Gospel-centered reconciliation.
Micah 6:8 still calls us:
“Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”