“But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
– Amos 5:24
Whether Old Testament or New, God’s desire for His people is consistent. He’s far more concerned with our hearts, minds, and attitudes than our visible patterns of religious behavior. Worship certainly matters, but appearing to worship while having a heart far from God’s is unacceptable and even offensive to Him. Giving, praying, teaching, and gathering with other believers are vitally important, but of little value if your mind isn’t trying to align to God’s and His values haven’t become your values.
God cares deeply about justice because He’s fundamentally just. He expects His children to act with justice and be concerned whenever they see others treated unjustly. If Jesus is your Lord, then as a citizen of God’s Kingdom you need to concern yourself with the work of the Kingdom here on earth. That work includes more than just sharing Christ so people enter the Kingdom. We’re called to concern ourselves with the things Jesus made clear distinguish God’s Kingdom here on earth from Satan’s domain of darkness. Practical concern for the sick, the poor, and the powerless. Acting with justice and acting for justice is a major part of making God’s Kingdom visible and attractive to a fallen world.
Likewise, God cares deeply that His people are righteous because He is perfect, sinless, holy, and righteous. He expects and empowers His followers to concern themselves with their own righteousness. Followers of Jesus must be pursuing holiness in every aspect our lives, both public and private, in the power of God’s Spirit. Righteousness can’t be something we put on for Sunday morning but leave behind us when we enter our workplace, the marketplace, or the community. Regardless of the cost, we must be acting with righteousness (not self-righteousness!) at all times, like an ever-flowing stream.
If you’ve embraced Jesus as your Savior, are you making Him visible through your concern for justice and daily practice of righteousness?