James declares, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4.6).
The problem with the proud is their behavior doesn’t take God into account. They may claim to know God, but their actions reveal that they are practical atheists.
Not only do they disregard God’s will, but they greatly harm His beloved creation.
Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt; they do abominable deeds;
there is no one who does good.
Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
who eat up my people as they eat bread
and do not call upon the Lord? (Psalm 14.1 and 4)
God’s relationship with the nations surrounding Israel involved informing them that their disregard for His will and the harm they caused to other humans would not go unnoticed.
What are you to me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you paying me back for something? If you are paying me back, I will turn your deeds back upon your own heads swiftly and speedily (Joel 3.4).
God observed the behavior of proud evildoers and deemed it an offense against Himself. He clearly stated that there are consequences and accountability for such behavior.
Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
and the rod of anger will fail. (Proverbs 22:8)
Retributive Justice
Retributive justice is what God describes in Joel, saying, “I will swiftly and speedily turn your deeds back on your own heads.” Or, in Proverbs, “If you sow injustice, you will reap calamity.”
Retributive justice emphasizes that human behavior has consequences. We are responsible for the harm we cause and will be held accountable for our actions.
Perhaps the most famous biblical reference to retributive justice is found in Exodus 21:23-25, where the principle of “an eye for an eye” is laid out.
The purpose of this command was initially intended to limit the extent of retribution, ensuring that the punishment was proportional and not excessive.
Paul, in his letter to the Roman church, commanded them to never seek revenge. However, he also noted in the same passage that accountability still exists. But, this accountability comes from God, not from humans.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
The Bible pictures God not as a feeble and weak grandfather figure who overlooks his children’s faults. Instead, He is depicted as powerful and just, repaying those who harm His beloved creation with what they deserve.
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus tells the parable of the sheep and the goats. He describes the sheep being welcomed into eternal life, while the goats are rejected and sent to judgment.
The crucial factor in this distinction is how they treated the most vulnerable people on Earth.
The message of accountability for human behavior is crucial and demands our attention. We must take responsibility for our actions and our care for those whom God loves.
However, accountability and retributive justice are not the final words. God has another message for His creation.
Creative Justice
Some passages in the Gospels can be quite unsettling, raising doubts about our hope in the face of God’s judgment. When people express these concerns to me, I encourage them to consider the story’s conclusion.
This ending reveals that although we all have sinned, God sent His Son to bear our punishment on the cross. He was raised from the dead, validating all His teachings and actions. This act offers us forgiveness and a new life.
One scholar describes this act as “creative justice.” The concept involves God taking our sins, granting us forgiveness, filling us with the Holy Spirit, and transforming us into the beings He intends us to be.
Another author beautifully states that God defeats His enemies by making them His friends.
As we celebrate God’s creative justice and cherish being His friends, we must not take our responsibility lightly.
Responding responsibly to God’s love and grace is essential and appropriate.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 