The Standard of Justice
Since 1889, the mass of a kilogram has been defined by an object known as, “Le Grand K.” This platinum cylinder is locked away in a safe and housed under three bell jars to prevent it from change. Access to this precious cylinder requires three keys, operated independently, of which only two are kept in France. Obviously, it’s important to men to have an international standard for weight. If there is ever an argument about another object’s true weight, it can be compared to Le Grand K.
While Le Grand K is the standard for the kilogram, the Bible says God is the standard of justice. There is no flaw in His character, no fault in His person. He is the very definition of justice.
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; lovingkindness and truth go before You” (Psalm 89:14).
To many, this sounds good and they might claim to agree that God is just. However, in reality, this is not the popular opinion. If we say that God is just, then that means He sets the rules. God determines what deserves reward and what deserves punishment. As the Creator of the universe, this is His prerogative.
In Romans 3:23, it says we are all sinners. We have all missed the mark of perfection and followed our own desires instead. In Romans 6:23, God tells us that the just judgement for our sin is eternal death. This clearly means all people everywhere deserve eternal death.
When people make statements like, “If God is just He wouldn’t send people to hell” or “A loving God wouldn’t allow this calamity to happen” they are really saying that they ought to define justice. They are saying death shouldn’t be the final penalty. Shockingly, they are rewriting the Bible!
It may sound counterintuitive, but the safest place is not far away from this God of Justice, it is near Him.
God has given us a way out of this penalty. In His justice, God has provided a sacrifice on our behalf. His wrath for us was appeased when He crushed His only Son on the cross (Isaiah 53:5). Through faith in Jesus Christ, God imputes righteousness to us and makes us blameless (2 Corinthians 5:21). Praise God He is not only just, He is merciful. He is a good Judge who deals out grace to those who believe and condemnation to those who do not.
While the Le Grand K will decay and change over time, God will not. He will continue to offer a provision of righteousness. We would be foolish to ignore it.