Walking with the Wise #286: Upright in All Things

“The wicked accepts a bribe in secret

to pervert the ways of justice.”

—Proverbs 17:23

God is justice. In Him is the definition of what is right and wrong. Since we are made in His image, we are to be people of justice. As the Bible says,

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”—Micah 6:8.

We are to “do justice,” which means that we are to be upright in our dealings with others. We don’t take bribes or kickbacks, extort, cheat, or play favorites. As business owners, we are fair, honest in our dealings, treating our employees with dignity and respect. As employees, we refuse to steal, cheat, or misrepresent—doing our work unto the Lord and not to men (Colossians 3:23).

Those who pervert the ways of justice will find themselves receiving the full justice of God when the time comes. Don’t pervert justice—you cannot escape the eye of Almighty God! You will receive your punishment! If you have perverted justice, know that God has taken the penalty upon Himself through the person of His Son. The justice of God was meted out upon Him for you and for me. And we can now have forgiveness for all the evil and sins we have done.

Have you been unjust? Know that God will forgive your sin if you run to Him! Repent before it's too late! And then do good deeds in response to the mercy you have received. Not as a means of procuring God’s favor, because that can’t be done. God’s favor is found only in and through Christ. Do good works in thankfulness for the good that has been done to you, so that God’s name and mercy might be seen through you. Amen.