You Need More Than a Thermometer (The Bible’s Answer for Justice, Part 11)
By Ben Quine
**This article is part of a series helping us navigate this issue of justice in our world from a Biblical perspective. To read all of Ben’s articles on this subject - click on his name above by the date published and it will sort all of this articles in one place.
Check out our other upcoming classes with Ben Quine - on Biblical Worldview in 2023.
Written by Ben Quine
When you’re not feeling well, there are some good first steps to take. One of them is to reach for a thermometer, to check your temperature. Knowing your body’s internal temperature can be a good indicator of whether or not you are fighting a disease. Too high a temperature means you should probably seek medical attention or some medicinal treatment.
But what if you were sick and the only treatment you sought was a thermometer? What if you confused the indicator for the cure?
For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23)
It seems like every day the news is filled with tragic stories of people committing acts of outrageous violence and cruelty. Many are left wondering, “How could anyone do something so terrible?” Jesus gives the answer: evil comes out of our hearts. Criminal acts, lawlessness, and sin flow out of evil hearts.
Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:19)
God tells us the main purpose of the law: to pronounce all of humanity guilty before a holy God. But doesn’t the law help us to do what is right? If people are doing terrible things, perhaps what we really need is more laws?
Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. (Galatians 3:21)
Paul taught the early Church that, though the law is good (it is a perfect reflection of the perfect character of God), and though it shows us the right way to live, and though it does the job of convicting humanity of sin, stopping our mouths, and pronouncing us guilty, the law can never make a person holy or give them the power to do what is right.
It is important to have good laws that reflect God’s justice (see the previous articles in this series), but that is not the answer to our heart problem. The law is a thermometer that shows us when we are sick, but it is not the medicine we need to make us well!
If God’s own perfect law in Scripture cannot make us holy, how much less can human laws?
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.(Galatians 5:16-24)
The Fruit of the Flesh leads to death, pain, and injustice, because the sinful nature is powerless to stop sinning. But the Fruit of the Holy Spirit brings love, peace, and justice.
If a culture is dominated by violence, theft, and oppression, it is because the people are following the Flesh. If a culture is dominated by love, kindness, and goodness, it is because the people are following the Spirit.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
Don’t expect the unregenerate to be virtuous and moral! God’s presence is the only medicine that can rescue a culture from destruction. We must understand that the standard of morality comes solely from God’s Word, and the power to live morally comes solely from the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit. That’s why all throughout Scripture God implores us to follow Him (Matthew 4:19), to love Him (Deuteronomy 6:5), and to draw near to Him (James 4:8). Our responsibility is to share the Gospel and pray for spiritual revival in our country.
The grace of God is the only truly transformative power that can rescue a human heart from the evil inside of it—not logic, not law, not force (Titus 2:11-14).
So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. (Philemon 17-19)
Take a few minutes and read Paul’s short letter to Philemon. It is one of the greatest examples of Christ-like love, forgiveness, and justice in Scripture. Paul implores Philemon to display the real-life power of the Gospel, show true forgiveness, and accept his former slave, Onesimus (who likely stole from him), as a brother and an equal — not because he had to, but because he wanted to, because of love. Paul notes that he could command Philemon to act correctly, but he prefers to appeal to the inward motivation of a Spirit-led heart. Though he is requesting forgiveness from Philemon, Paul also promises to maintain Biblical justice by personally paying the debt owed by Onesimus, in accordance to the law.
Overview of Biblical History from a Justice perspective:
As the pinnacle of His creation, God fashioned humanity in His own image (Genesis 1:26). Part of that image-bearing included being endowed with the ability to choose whether or not to obey God. Tragically, Adam and Eve’s Fall sent the whole world into chaos and sentenced all of their descendants to be born spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1), slaves to sin in need of spiritual rebirth (John 3:3). Of course, God could have removed all humanity from the earth that very day, but then none of us would ever have existed to know Him or experience His salvation. In His love and perfect plan, God chose to call us back to Himself, to woo us with grace, not force us into lock-step obedience.
God gave the Law to Moses to show that, despite humanity’s best intentions and strongest efforts, everyone falls short of the holiness God requires. The government is established to apply consequences for the mistreatment of others, but even the moral law (as a thermometer) cannot make sinful people obey God and “do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7:12 NIV) Though this is a bleak picture, there is good news…
The first part of the Good News (the Gospel) is that we can be rescued from the just punishment of eternal death we deserve through the substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (propitiation and justification). The second part of this good news is that now, God Himself comes to live inside us in the person of the Holy Spirit, changing us, empowering us, and creating His wonderful Fruit in our lives — a fruit of righteousness that will result in individual believers treating others with supernatural love, respect, forgiveness, kindness, and goodness, while not leaving the guilty unpunished (sanctification). In short, we will treat others justly. This is good, good news!
The Gospel is the means of bringing true justice and righteousness to relationships and to society.
God commissioned government with the role of enacting justice by way of consequences and rewards — this constitutes loving the citizenry well. God directed individual believers to love their neighbors by exhibiting grace and charity. The two appointments are both crucial, but wholly distinctive; the government is not to show grace and charity, and the individuals are not to punish the guilty.
When believers are filled by the Holy Spirit, like Peter was in Acts chapter 11, they won’t accept human divisions, racism, or oppression. Like the early Church in Acts chapter 6, they will give generously to the poor and the weak. Like Philemon, they will forgive the one who stole from them and hurt them. Like Ananias in Acts chapter 9, they will forgive those who murdered their friends and family. Like the Good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10, they will show charity to those in need around them. Like John the Baptist instructed in Luke chapter 3, soldiers and tax collectors (the law enforcement) will be just and fair.
What an amazing witness this would be, if all believers really lived this way! “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
So pray every day, “Lord God, fill me with Your Holy Spirit today. Transform me from the inside-out and empower me to live a life that bears Your fruit, a life that brings love and justice to all around me, and a life that brings You great glory!”
In our final articles, we are going to flesh out the application of all this for each of us personally, and for America as a nation. Stay tuned!
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ABOUT BEN
Connect with him at Cornerstone Curriculum
Ben Quine, the second son of David and Shirley Quine, was blessed to grow up with a Charlotte Mason/Dr. Schaeffer/Biblical Worldview education -- a tremendous gift! Through the years, Ben has served as a Cornerstone consultant, assistant, and co-author. He has written several Bible studies for the Answers for Difficult Days series, which equips churches to address the issues our culture is wrestling with today, from the foundation of Scripture. Ben is also the editor of The Worldview Library, editions of classical literature with student helps that afford the reader a deeper understanding of the concepts presented in each work.
Trained as a classical pianist and instructor, Ben is committed to inspiring his students with the love of great music and equipping them with the tools to perform at the highest level. This training has resulted in his students' successful performances from local festivals and competitions to Carnegie Hall.
Ben loves Shakespeare, Dickens, photography, listening to recordings of "the great pianists", running, biking, and spending time with his wife Julie and their three sons.