Justice is the virtue that empowers us to do what is right. But who decides what justice is? Is my way always right? I would like to think so. But the truth is, just because it is my way does not make it the right way. Justice cannot be defined by an individual’s own sense of what is right and wrong. This becomes obvious as you hear what other people think is just and right.

Of course, just because most people think something is right does not make it right either. When this country was founded, slavery was an institution that was provided for in the constitution. Not everyone liked it, but it had enough support to be sustained. It took time and the courageous actions of individuals to change the way society looked at the institutionalized racism that was our policy on slavery. Today, racism is ebbing, but it still needs challenged on the grounds of justice.

If it is not my decision or the majority decision, what does make things right or just? The obvious answer is God decides what is just or not. God’s way is right by definition. He is not only the Almighty who can do what he wants, not only the Designer who knows how things work best, but he is good and just. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.

How do we know what God thinks is just? From what he has told us in his Word. It is really that simple. But we constantly want to decide for ourselves what is best. We want to determine what is right and good for us, rather than look to God first for the answer. And there is where God’s people have always gotten themselves into trouble.

As a prophet, Micah’s job was not to tell the future, but to press God’s case to God’s people. God had been faithful and his people had not. The prophet pointed back to the covenant, to the Law of God, which proclaimed God’s blessing and the people’s responsibility. Micah gives a history lesson to show the Lord’s faithfulness and the people’s rebellion. They needed to repent and be restored to the Lord. This is a condition that sadly comes on God’s people frequently. We need to consider how Micah’s words apply to us.

The response is to ask how we can be reconciled to the Lord. With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old (v 6)? This is talking about the sacrificial system that God set up. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. Yet it is an external ritual. Hebrews tells us that the blood of bulls and goats can never take away sin. It also tells us that this sacrificial system is a symbol pointing forward to Christ’s death on the cross. It had its purpose, but God is not primarily concerned with externals—he has always been after the hearts of his people. We read this in Moses, the prophets, the Psalms and most clearly in the New Testament.

If God has our hearts, how will our lives respond? And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (v8). We are to act justly, which means that we do what is right. We are to do things to ensure that justice gets done. We are to love mercy, which means that we are concerned with those hurt both by injustice and the ones who cause injustice. In Galatians we are told that if someone acts unjustly, those who are spiritual are to go and restore him with meekness, knowing that they also may be tempted. This means that those who are spiritual need to confront this person with his sin in order to bring him back to following his Lord Jesus. But they are to go in the spirit of meekness knowing that someone may need do the same for them.

To act justly and to love mercy also means that we work for justice and show mercy where and when we can. A few years ago, there were three women in this town who wanted to feed hungry people. Today, the Mooresville Soup Kitchen makes thousands of meals every month. It is possible because of people who donate food and time. They do this because they want to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with their God.

I could add many examples and you could too. But I want to remind you. These outward acts of justice and mercy are not the primary thing God is after. God wants our hearts. These outward acts are the way our hearts show their love and gratitude to God. Don’t forget that God is really after your heart and your actions merely show that he has it. Look to Jesus to provide the power for Christian Justice to be active in your life. Then you will act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.