Justice

 

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

AMOS 5:24 (NIV)

Amos lived in unjust times (as per usual for the world throughout history. The rich got richer off the back of their oppression of the poor. He lived during one of the economically better times of Israel’s history, but he wasn’t afraid to speak out against all the unrighteousness that was going on.

Apart from all his pronouncements of impending judgement on the northern kingdom of Israel (that were fulfilled by the Assyrian Empire), there are also bright glimmers of hope in Amos’s prophecies, such as this verse. He imagined justice and righteousness as flowing water that never fails to bless the land. He looked forward to the advent of the Lord Jesus Christ, who has inaugurated the kingdom of heaven, defined by justice and righteousness.

There’s still plenty of injustice and unrighteousness in the world to this day. Yet in God’s kingdom, justice and righteousness are the order of the day, and the world is blessed by such virtues. God’s subjects may not be perfect, but by His help we’re becoming more just and righteous day by day.

If anyone claims to be part of God’s kingdom but is defined by injustice and unrighteousness, they betray the fact they haven’t truly been transformed by God’s Holy Spirit. We’re not sinless, yet we should be becoming more and more conformed to the likeness of Christ. We do this by the power of His gracious Spirit.

‘Righteous Father, we echo Amos’s prayer and ask that Your justice and righteousness would prevail and bless the earth. For the honour of Jesus we pray, amen’

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