What does it mean that God is just?
Here's the answer:
When something is "just," that means it is right and good. Justice happens when something is fairly judged, like when a fair decision is made in a court room.
When we say God is "just," we mean He does everything right and fairly. God is perfect, so He doesn’t make any mistakes. We make plenty of mistakes, though! Those mistakes are called sin, and since God is perfect and just, He can’t let sin go unpunished. Someone has to pay for all the sins we’ve done.
The price for sin is death and separation from God forever. But God loves us all so much that He doesn’t want us to be separated from Him. Because He is just, He sent someone to pay that price—His own Son, Jesus. Jesus came to earth as a baby, grew up, and after serving and teaching people for three years, He died on a cross. Jesus was perfect like God and never sinned, but when He died He took the punishment that was meant for each of us.
First John 1:9 says, "But God is faithful and fair. If we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins..." If we believe in Jesus and accept His gift of salvation, we will go to heaven to be with God when we die instead of being separated from Him forever. If we choose not to believe in Jesus, God’s justice means we will still have to be punished for our sin.
If you ever feel that God has done something unfair, remember that He is just and will always make the perfect decisions for your life. You can trust Him.
Bible Truth
"God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life" (John 3:16).
"Some people did accept him and did believe in his name. He gave them the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).
