But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing. 1 John 1:9, GNT

 

I grew up in a home where fairness was highly esteemed. My parents never allowed any injustice and I am still thankful for what they taught me in this regard. In many places in the Bible we read that God expects us to be just in every sense. In Proverbs 21:3 we read: “Do what is right and fair; that pleases the LORD more than bringing him sacrifices.” These are very important words, as sacrifices were an indispensable part of religion in the Old Testament.

 

Unfortunately, we can never be completely impartial as humans. Our nature is always inclined toward what is best for ourselves. Without really even being aware that we are doing wrong, we can sometimes be very unjust towards our partners, children, employees or even a fellow driver at a stop sign.

 

But God is always completely just as we can see in Deuteronomy. In the song that Moses dedicated to God shortly before he died, he said: “The LORD is your mighty defender, perfect and just in all his ways.” God, our mighty defender, is seen as faithful and true. All of these characteristics show just how impartial he is.

 

God is like that; he keeps his promises and does what is right, as John tells us. In the well-known verse, John 3:16, God promised: “… so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” This is the promise that John relies on when he says that if we confess our sins, God will not go back on his promise. He will be faithful in what he promised and because he is absolutely just, it is true for everyone who believes, irrespective of our status, wealth or position in society.

 

Prayer: Thank you, our Father, that you are always, and in all circumstances, a just God. Amen.