Is Justice Fair?

One of the recurring themes throughout the book of Judges and has been observed among people in the world ever since is, "every man did what was right in his own eyes."  The Proverbs say most men will proclaim their own goodness, but there is not a good man among them (Prov. 20:6).  The way of a man seems right to him, but the inevitable end is death (Prov. 14:12).  Only God is good, and His righteous standard proclaimed in scripture is absolute.

A reality of this corrupted world is all things degrade.  Our bodies break down, grow old and decay.  Biblical morality, principles once firmly established in the fabric of society, over time are easily cast aside.  As generations overtake generations, even the meaning of words can be dumbed-down into sloppy generalisations.  Take justice, for instance.  The 1828 Webster's Dictionary defines justice like this:  "1) the virtue which consists in giving to everyone what is his due; practical conformity to the laws and to principles of rectitude in the dealings of men with each other, honesty, integrity; 2) impartiality, equal distribution of right in expressing opinions, fair representation of facts respecting merit or demerit, it is a duty to do justice to every man, whether friend or foe; 3) equity, agreeableness to right; 4) vindictive retribution, merited punishment; 5) right, application of equity.”  Compare this definition with the first like of the American Heritage Dictionary:  "the quality of being just; fairness."  In the very first line, the modern dictionary uses a word not found in the definition over a hundred and eighty or so years ago:  "fairness."  It may seem trite, but it represents a significant shift in the way many view justice today.

When the word "fair" is used today, it means something which is pleasant or appealing to our eyes.  It can be commonly used as a synonym for justice.  But justice has nothing to do with being fair.  Justice is righteousness.  Justice is an absolute standard established by God's righteousness, for only God is Just.  To say God is "fair" is an adulteration of the language, for God never claims to be fair:  He does not always do what is pleasing to man's eyes.  Justice is the upholding of God's righteousness.  Fairness is largely subjective, based upon what way seems right in the eyes of man.  I am not suggesting that fairness and justice cannot intersect.  What I am saying is because of the modern meaning of the word "justice," we apply that subjective standard to God and feel at liberty to stand in judgment of His ways.  This brings us back to how important the scripture is to shape our understanding of what true justice is in Proverbs 16:25:  "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."  Our idea of fair is not always righteous.  Unlike the words we commonly use, God is perfect and does not change!  Turn to the Word of God, and it will be a lamp unto your feet and a light to your path.  It will never lead you wrong!