He Plays Fair
iGod: His Character Playlist, part 8 of 10
While God is gracious, merciful and forgiving; we can never forget that God is also righteous and just. He’s righteous… meaning He must always make everything that is wrong or unrighteous, right. He also must exact justice for that which is unjust in the world. While sometimes these traits don’t sound that attractive, all we need to do is consider when unrighteous and unjust things are done to us. When we do, we realize how important it is for God to be righteous and just in His actions. We will examine how God’s righteous and just actions and attributes will impact our lives and the lives of others around us as we interact with them.
Download the notes.“… I [The Lord] am holy.” (Leviticus 11:45b, NIV)
“The Lord did not hesitate to bring disaster upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.” (Daniel 9:14, NIV)
“…[Jesus Christ] full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14c, NIV)
I) THE FLIP SIDE OF FORGIVENESS
1) God is __HOLY__ and He can have nothing to do with impurity.
“The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.” (Psalm 11:4-5, NIV)
2) God is __RIGHTEOUS__ and He only does what is totally right.
“For the Lord is righteous…” (Psalm 11:7a, NIV)
3) God is __JUST__ and He ultimately brings about true justice.
“…He loves justice; upright men will seek his face.” (Psalm 11:7b, NIV)
*When we balance God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness with His holiness, righteousness and justice, He will be either our successful __DEFENSE__ or __PROSECUTING__ attorney.
“For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by [Christ]… He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31, NIV)
II) RESPONDING TO THE FAIR PLAY OF GOD
Responding to a holy, righteous, and just God
1) God’s holiness calls us to _EMULATE & CELEBRATE HIS HOLINESS_.
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15, NIV)
“Let them praise your great and awesome name— he is holy… Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.” (Psalm 99:3&9, NIV)
2) God’s righteousness calls us to _SEEK OUT HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS_.
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known… This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Romans 3:21-22a, NIV)
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33, NIV)
3) God’s justice calls us to __TREAT ALL PEOPLE WITH JUSTICE__.
“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.” (Proverbs 28:5, NIV)
“The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.” (Proverbs 29:7, NIV)
“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” (Proverbs 21:3, NIV)