Proverbs 2:9. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path;
Have you ever been treated unfairly? Even unjustly? I’m sure we all have at some time or another.
Do you treat others unfairly? Are you a respecter of persons? Have you been unjust? I’m sure we all have been at some time or another.
Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, therefore, it begins with knowing what is important to God. In Proverbs 2:9 King Solomon tells us three things that are extremely important to God: Righteousness, justice, and equity.
Simply put, God’s righteousness is him doing and giving his best for us. When we are living within the protection of God’s righteousness, we are living our best lives together in equity. Not just equal opportunity, but true equity of position before God. Each person sitting under their own vine and under their own fig tree (Micah 4:4). Justice is what makes such equity a reality in this sin filled age. Justice brings the humble up and brings the proud down. God’s justice isn’t about punishment, it’s about equality and reconciliation.
You might be thinking that this sounds like a fantastical utopian dream. How is something like this even possible? Only in Christ. His righteousness, his best, his goodness, have been placed IN us. His restorative justice has reconciled us to God and man. His equity calls us to either be raised or lowered to the level ground at the foot of the cross.
Jesus died for everyone. His death on the cross is the same for the rich and the poor, the old and the young, the black, the brown, and the white, the man and the woman, the good and the bad (we’re all bad). The promise of God is that anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved! That’s equity. That’s justice. That’s righteousness.
Through Christ in us, the righteousness, justice, and equity of God are ours to live in and to live from, bringing them to the world around us. Righteousness that always seeks the best for others. Justice that raises the humble and lowers the proud. And equity that makes us no respecter of persons, treating everyone with the dignity and respect that every image bearer deserves.
How do we do all this? With the gospel? With the cross of Christ. The cross alone speaks exaltation to the humble, and humility to the proud. The cross is God’s best, his righteousness for all mankind. The cross is equity before God – everyone equally guilty yet equally loved.
Speak the cross. Live the cross. Love like the cross. There is no other good path to God.
You: Do you see yourself as equal to others? Better than others? Lower than others?
You in Christ: How does knowing that we all sit on level ground at the cross allow you to come both humbly and boldly to God?
Christ in you: How might you treat others with equity today? Righteousness? Justice?
Pray: Father, you are always righteous, just, and fair, especially in Christ. Help me to embrace the level ground at the feet of Jesus. Help me to raise and lower others in justice and righteousness. Amen.
To Live is Christ 