God's Holiness and Justice in His Character Revealed
God's Holiness and Justice in His Character Revealed
God's holiness and justice are fundamental aspects of His character, deeply intertwined and revealed throughout the biblical narrative. The concept of God's holiness is rooted in the biblical text, where it is described as a characteristic that defines God's nature and actions [2]. The Psalmist affirms that God is "righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works" (Psalm 145:17), highlighting the intrinsic link between God's holiness and justice.
The biblical account presents God's holiness as a standard for His people. In Leviticus, God commands the Israelites, "Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy" (Leviticus 19:2; 11:45) [3]. This call to holiness is not merely a moral exhortation but a reflection of God's own character. The New Testament reiterates this theme, with the Apostle Peter echoing the Levitical command, emphasizing that believers are called to holiness because God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16) [3].
God's justice is another critical aspect of His character, often manifested in conjunction with His holiness. The Psalmist praises God, saying, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne" (Psalm 97:2; 89:14) [2]. This underscores the idea that justice is not merely a peripheral attribute of God but is foundational to His very being and rule. The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as a just God who upholds righteousness and punishes wickedness.
The revelation of God's holiness and justice is particularly evident in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John introduces Jesus as the embodiment of God's grace and truth, stating, "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17) [1]. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection demonstrate God's justice and holiness, as He bore the penalty for humanity's sin, thereby upholding God's justice while offering salvation to humanity.
The Apostle Paul's writings further elucidate the connection between God's holiness, justice, and the gospel. In Romans 1:17, Paul states that "the righteousness of God is revealed" in the gospel, a righteousness that is "from faith to faith" [4]. According to John Gill, this "righteousness of God" refers to the righteousness that Christ wrought out for His people, by which they are justified before God [4].
The biblical portrayal of God's holiness and justice has significant implications for understanding God's character and His relationship with humanity. It underscores the gravity of sin and the necessity of redemption, while also highlighting God's commitment to justice and righteousness. As Matthew Henry notes, God's judgments are "upright," reflecting His perfect justice and equity [6].
The manifestation of God's holiness and justice in Christ serves as a cornerstone of Christian theology, emphasizing the importance of these attributes in understanding God's nature and plan of salvation. As the biblical narrative and Christian tradition affirm, God's holiness and justice are not abstract concepts but are deeply personal and relational, revealed most fully in the person of Jesus Christ.
The doxological response to God's holiness and justice is a recurring theme in Scripture. The Psalmist calls upon believers to "declare his glory among the nations" and to "ascribe to the Lord glory and strength" (Psalm 96:3, 7) [5]. This call to worship is rooted in the recognition of God's holy and just character, which is a central motif in biblical praise.
Sources
- John “For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. -- John 1:17”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Righteousness of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ps 7:9; 116:5; 119:137. Described as Very high. -- Ps 71:19. Abundant. -- Ps 48:10. Beyond computation. -- Ps 71:15. Everlasting. -- Ps 119:142. Enduring for ever. -- Ps 111:3. The habitation of his throne. -- Ps 97:2. Christ acknowledged -- Joh 17:25. Christ committed his cause to -- 1Pe 2:23. Angels acknowledge -- Re 16:5. Exhibited in His testimonies. -- Ps 119:138,144. His commandments. -- De 4:8; Ps 119:172. His judgments. -- Ps 19:9; 119:7,62. His word. -- Ps 119:123. His ways. -- Ps 145:17. His acts. -- J”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 1:17: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed,.... By "the righteousness of God", is not meant the essential righteousness of God, the rectitude of his nature, his righteousness in fulfilling his promises, and his punitive justice, which though revealed in the Gospel, yet not peculiar to it; nor the righteousness by which Christ himself is righteous, either as God, or as Mediator; but that righteousness which he wrought out by obeying the precepts, and bearing the penalty of the law in the room of his people, and by which they are justified in the sight of God: and”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 96:3: Declare his glory among the Heathen,.... What a glorious Person the Messiah is; the brightness of his Father's glory; having all the perfections of deity in him; how the glory of God appears in him, and in all that he has done; and especially in the work of redemption, in which the glory of divine wisdom, power, justice, truth, and faithfulness, love, grace, and mercy, is richly displayed; say what glory he is advanced unto, having done his work, being highly exalted, set at the right hand of God, and crowned with glory and honour; and what a fulness of grace there is”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:137: Here is, 1. The righteousness of God, the infinite rectitude and perfection of his nature. As he is what he is, so he is what he should be, and in every thing acts as becomes him; there is nothing wanting, nothing amiss, in God; his will is the eternal rule of equity, and he is righteous, for he does all according to it. 2. The righteousness of his government. He rules the world by his providence, according to the principles of justice, and never did, nor ever can do, any wrong to any of his creatures: Upright are thy judgments, the promises and threatenings an”