God Is Always Just

Beyond BeliefBeyond BeliefExploring the Character of GodExploring the Character of God

Rhema Christian Fellowship Bible

Study

God Is Always JustGod Is Always Just

Our Essential Our Essential QuestionsQuestions

What do I believe about my faith?

How do I know the will of God?

Beyond Belief:Beyond Belief:Exploring the Character of GodExploring the Character of God

Session 1: God Is Holy

Session 2: God Is Loving

Session 3: God Is Always Just

Session 4: God Is Forgiving

Session 5: God Is Wise

Session 6: God Is Faithful

God Is JustGod Is Just

Session 3Session 3

God Is JustGod Is Just

The PointThe Point: God is always : God is always just.just.

The Bible Meets LifeThe Bible Meets Life. In . In this session wethis session we’’ll explore ll explore why we can have why we can have confidence in Godconfidence in God’’s justice.s justice.

Our PassageOur Passage: Ezekiel : Ezekiel 18:21-24, 30-3218:21-24, 30-32

What Does the What Does the Bible Say?Bible Say?

Session 3Session 3

Conduct an Inductive Conduct an Inductive StudyStudy

Mark reference to author in one color and another to the recipient

Identify lists

Mark keywords and synonyms

Mark contrasts

Mark terms of conclusion

Mark comparisons

Mark expressions of time

Double underline geographical locations

Make lists of keywords and key people

Ezekiel 18:21-22 (HCSB)

21 “Now if the wicked person turns from all the sins

he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does

what is just and right, he will certainly live; he will

not die.

22 None of the transgressions he has committed

will be held against him. He will live because of the

righteousness he has practiced. 8

Ezekiel 18:23 (HCSB)

23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the

wicked?” This is the declaration of the Lord God.

“Instead, don’t I take pleasure when he turns from

his ways and lives?

9


24 But when a righteous person turns from his

righteousness and practices iniquity, committing

the same detestable acts that the wicked do, will

he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be

remembered. He will die because of the treachery

he has engaged in and the sin he has committed.

10


30 “Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each one of

you according to his ways.” This is the declaration of

the Lord God. “Repent and turn from all your

transgressions, so they will not be a stumbling block

that causes your punishment.

11

Ezekiel 18:31-32 (HCSB)

31 Throw off all the transgressions you have

committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a

new spirit. Why should you die, house of Israel?

32 For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death.” This is

the declaration of the Lord God. “So repent and live!

12

””God Is Always JustGod Is Always Just””(Ezekiel 18:21-23)(Ezekiel 18:21-23)

•Historical Background - the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem and the deportation of the Jews between 605 to 587 BC

•God’s response to accusations of unfairness.

•Definitions and Understanding

1.Justice as captured by the statue of Lady Justice at the U.S.Supreme. She is blindfolded, and holds a double-edged sword in her right hand and a set of scales in her left.

•The blindfold signifies her impartiality.

•The sword illustrates the discerning character of truth (see Heb. 4:12), and

•The scales represent the exacting nature of justice (see Prov 20:23).


•Definitions and Understanding

2. Repentance.

Turning away from sin and committing to love and obey God.

Any person who approaches God in this in this way will receive pardon.

God will always act favorably and mercifully toward a repentant heart.

””God Is Always JustGod Is Always Just””(Ezekiel 18:24)(Ezekiel 18:24)

•God addresses the righteous person who rebels and

their consequences.

•Points to the fairness and justice of God •The Jewish privileged heritage and past obedience

attitude •They misunderstood their responsibilities to be God's

chosen people

””God Is Always JustGod Is Always Just””(Ezekiel 18:24)(Ezekiel 18:24)

•Read page 29, para 4. •Sin is serious (Romans 6:23). •We are human and slip and fall but consistent sin

should not characterize our lives.


• Ezekiel 18 helps us see two important things about God:

1. God always gets justice right.

2. God always wants our best.

• All God requires is that we repent

• God relieves us of guilt

• Proof: God is just. He dealt with your sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And now that your sin has been dealt with, it's over. Justice is done


• Proof: God is just.

• He dealt with our sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ

• Our sin has been dealt with, it's over

• Justice is done

Live It OutLive It OutHow will you respond to God's justice?

1.Choose freedom.

2.Seek justice in the world.

3.Close the gap between your reputation

and character.

Spiritual

God Is Always Just