With Liberty and Justice for All

S - "“The kingdom that God has given you will last forever and ever. You rule over your people with justice; you love what is right and hate what is evil. That is why God, your God, has chosen you and has poured out more happiness on you than on any other king.” Psalm 45:6-7 GNT

O -  These lines in the Psalms are also recorded in the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 1:8-9).  They reference Jesus.  [He confirms such connections in one of his visits after he was raised from the dead. "Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Luke 24:44] The amazing part is not that he loves what is right and hates what is evil; not that he rules with justice or forever.  The absolutely amazing part is how he does all this. In the workings of earth justice confronts the guilty with accusation, condemnation and then punishment … "just desserts" for crimes committed. Conclusion from earth?  "Justice has been served."  Heaven on earth, and in all the ages to come, engages this very differently.  Jesus makes justice serve the guilty.  Justice in and through Jesus confirms the issue, forgives the offense and transforms the perpetrator. Adoption not amnesty is the order of the day.  Conclusion from heaven on earth? Justice serves us.  "in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, …." 2 Corinthians 5:19 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

A - All of this amazing justice is because we are actually and perpetually loved by heaven.  God loves the world … all 7.4 billion. He loves all, not just the religious or the good guys.  All!  He loves us first and never stops. He loves us most, more than we'll ever know and more than we'll ever be able to love him back.  He refuses to change his mind even when we give him reasons to do so.  He has fulfilled all justice and now it serves us.  When I consider my own crimes (sins) and the crimes of others … I am to respond as Jesus does.  Start at love, lead with mercy and then, and only then, face the facts -- all of them.  The result will be more than amended behavior … a transformed life set at liberty according to love!  

P - Lord who is love, justice and life,
I accept you and your amazing justice to rule over me, in me and through me … unto all the liberty you intend for the whole world.  I will act in mercy as I've received it.  I will love others as you are loving me. I won't demand justice be served in the lives of others-- I'll let you show me/us how you are engaging justice to serve them/us.  I admit that you want me to hold every life in the hope of transformation -- especially my own.
I love you back,
Steve