Walking in Multiplication Because of Biblical Justice

By Thomas M. Doherty

In looking at why biblical justice is a compelling motivation for multiplication, it is essential to distinguish biblical justice from human forms of justice.

We see and hear about the justice system. We encounter definitions of justice in the context of political campaigns, television programs, and community groups trying to make a change. Typically, human justice uses a scale to balance an injustice with appropriate consequences or responses. Someone harms a person, and the system decides what happens to the perpetrator. The offending party could be an individual, company, or government agency.

Biblical justice is much more than a system to bring correction or penalty attempting to offset a loss; it is a way of life. Biblical justice is how we live before a conflict, problem, or cause for complaint arises. This theme is found throughout the Bible, starting in Genesis.

In Genesis 18:19, when speaking of Abraham, God said, “For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice” (ESV).

_

“If biblical justice were synonymous with the human justice system, God would be handing humanity a sentence of eternal death and separation.”

_

There is a theme of proactively caring for widows, orphans, and strangers throughout the Bible. Biblical justice is, therefore, a way of life; thus, the title of this article is “Walking in Multiplication Because of Biblical Justice.”

We look at the context of the Fall of humankind into sin and God’s redemptive plan to understand biblical justice in the light of multiplication. If biblical justice were synonymous with the human justice system, God would be handing humanity a sentence of eternal death and separation.

The justice God outlines in the Bible acknowledges that we are sinners and outside God’s aspirations for humankind. God’s plan was not only for Jesus to pay the consequences for our sins but for the Holy Spirit to empower us to live in a manner that reflects biblical justice. When we walk in the Spirit, we are both seen by God as being right acting, and we are empowered to reflect the nature and character of Jesus in the here and now.

Seeing Through Christ’s Eyes

What does all this have to do with “Walking in Multiplication Because of Biblical Justice”? Since Christians are transformed and enabled to reflect the nature and character of Christ, we see those around us through Christ’s eyes. We are motivated to overcome every obstacle that keeps us from caring for and helping them get into the family of God. If we are going to overcome our fears about others, we must be motivated by the heart of Christ and His life’s work and be empowered by His Holy Spirit.

Using Every Church Grows material, I have trained many church groups and individuals on how to reach out to people in the name of Christ. Those motivated to apply the teaching saw the kingdom grow, and those who were stopped by their fears didn’t see the kingdom grow.

_

“There is a cost to this way of life. We must be willing to invest our time in someone else.”

_

When Christians walk in biblical justice, reflecting the character and nature of Jesus, we are compelled to give people the news of the pardon that only Christ can give them. Romans 10:11–18 reminds us that all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. It matters not what group they are from. We are further exhorted to tell others about this salvation because that is the only way the “other” will know.

First, we must be motivated by God, and, next, we must have eyes that see everyone as a precious creation of God. There is a cost to this way of life. We must be willing to invest our time in someone else.

Building Relationships

In their book, “The Simplest Way to Change the World,” Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements focus on the need for hospitality. In part, this book focuses on opening our lives and homes to build relationships with people for the loving purpose of helping them experience the justice of Jesus through the power of His salvation work. The ultimate expression of biblical justice is to lead people to a salvation experience with Jesus Christ. Leading people to a relationship with Christ causes a change in status. From death to life, from “other” to us, maybe even from hating to loving, but always from the enemy of God to the family of God.

I like to keep things as simple as possible, so I start by loving everyone when I look at the world. If we can do that, we can see past poverty or wealth, whether someone looks like me or not. We don’t have to speak or live the same way. When we love, we don’t see people as “other.” We see them as God’s creation.

In Every Church Grows, we teach simple, straightforward ways to reach out to people no matter who they are or what they look like. The who is always up to the Lord! We simply must be obedient.

_

“We can’t expect those in darkness (the world) to bring light to the world.”

_

If we want to change our world, we need to reach out with Christ. Christians (if clearly focused on whom God wants us to reach out to, pray with, love on, and build relationships with) will change the world. Please understand this, church: Only Jesus, through His church, will bring light and hope into the world. We can’t expect those in darkness (the world) to bring light to the world.

Growing the Kingdom

We will see the kingdom grow if we do six things over the next twelve months: First, pray for God to open our eyes to see whom He brings across our path today to express the love of God. Second, invite two people to Christian gatherings every week. Third, find two people to pray with, not just for, each week. Fourth, look for two people to build community with for a year. Fifth, encourage two people from your church each week. Sixth, look for two people of peace you can invest in for a year. A person of peace is someone whom God has prepared their heart to hear the message of Christ’s salvation and who is eager to tell others about Jesus and His salvation.

“Walking in Multiplication Because of Biblical Justice,” for those of us who have received salvation and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, is rooted in loving everyone and bringing all people the salvation of Jesus Christ. Whom will you help find Christ’s saving justice today? +