The Just Shall Live By Faith

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August 3, 2006

I promised yesterday to open up the first of seven guiding principles identified in Scripture that God used to run His universe. There may well be more, but these seven are certainly prominent. Revelation 15:3 says in part, “Great and marvelous are your works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are your ways, you King of saints.” This verse actually reveals two attributes of His ways, but let’s look at the first one… “Just.”

Scripture clearly claims that God is just. “The just LORD is in her midst; He will do no wrong: every morning does He bring His judgment to light, He fails not; but the unjust knows no shame.” (Zep 3:5) Furthermore, He wants us to be just… “He that rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God” (2 Sam 23:3) “That which is altogether just shall you follow, that you may live, and inherit the land which the LORD your God gives you.” (De 16:20)

The “just” way is not an inferior way or a way that is costly over the long term. Sure, it can be costly in the short term to be just; but in the big picture, God promises that blessings will be upon the head of the just (Pr 10:6) and though the just may fall seven times, they will get up again, (Pr 24:16) and come out of trouble. (Pr 12:13) Remember how I said that Vision (getting light) was priority one? Well Solomon said, “the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day.” (Pr 4:18)

I don’t know about you, but I need more light and when I walk justly before God, my path becomes a light for me. That light somehow enables me, as a just man, to live by faith. (Rom 1:17) We must live by faith if we are going to please God, (Heb 11:6) so getting this first principle of being “just” is absolutely critical to our success. What are your thoughts?

Comments (13) - Post a Comment
Is to be \"just\" to be able to decern for our selves as managers on what we should be doing in our respective business? OR is it to place judgement on those that are employed y us an do not work \"for us\"? I believe this is a mix of both. We need to be decerning managers an leaders however I think that through our decernment we ultimate judge we judge both performers and non-performers.
TJ at 7:25am EDT - August 4, 2006
Michael, I hope you're going to talk more about what constitutes being \"just\". I often feel that, both in my vertical relationship with God, and my horizontal relationship with people, I need to have more mercy and less justice! So I guess that's why I'd like you to elaborate on what \"just\" is.
Steve Sappington at 7:26am EDT - August 4, 2006
I ditto what Steve suggests...lets talk about the picture of being \"just\". What does it look like, Jesus - yes. In our business life, what does it mean to our prospects, customers, peers and suppliers?
Len at 7:58am EDT - August 4, 2006
Taking personal responsibility to uphold what is pure, right and true.\" Action Steps: * Respect the authority of the law * Speak out for what is pure, right and true * Never prejudice others * Always remain open to reason * Keep my own conscience clean
Jim at 8:33am EDT - August 4, 2006
This message was particularly timely in that recently I have been discouraged that I am not making a higher salary than I feel I should be making. During the employment interview with my present employer, I was honest about the salary I was making and could have very easily lied to make more money. However, I find encouragement in that I did the right thing in being honest and trust that God will somehow in His wisdom and mercy, make up the difference.
Michael at 9:46am EDT - August 4, 2006
Thanks for the confirmation of several convictions this week of how important it is be people of integrity in the world of sales! He is a just God and ruler, but thanks be to Him for the mercy and grace!
Chuck at 1:18pm EDT - August 4, 2006
Michael, It seems that this is the message of the Hour. Please allow the Lord to speak through you about this critical aspect of God's design for us. We all know when we experience someone being unjust...it takes some special insight to see the concept of being \"JUST\".
Dave Krupp at 2:00pm EDT - August 4, 2006
wow, the truth brings Iirht and this is right on thanks
mo at 6:14pm EDT - August 5, 2006
I like the parallel between living a Just life and the light that shines on our path. I am very interested on the second part of this verse, the living by faith portion. I have been in a struggle to find the balance between living by faith and overpursuing my current opportunities. I look forward to tomorrows discussion on the living by faith portion.
JR at 10:23am EDT - August 6, 2006
It seems to me that the word \"Just\" is a much abused one. There is confusion here over the difference between being just and being a judge. When we judge we are living out of the tree of good and evil - looking to rules and regulations. To be just we must live out of the tree of life and search our own hearts. At the end of the day there is only one measure of whether our actions are just. We need to ask ourselves \"What would Jesus do in this situation?\"
Rod at 6:35pm EDT - August 6, 2006
You have all offered good input. I think the burden of the word \"just\" falls upon us to act justly vs requiring someone else to act justly toward us. It is as Jim said, a matter of taking personal responsibility but Steve raises a good question and that has to do with a Biblical definition of what being \"just\" is and Len wants to see that discussed in very practical terms. Beginning Tuesday, I will put some of that on the table for us to dine over.
Michael Pink at 6:59am EDT - August 7, 2006
As I read this I couldn't help but think that being just goes beyond doing what's right for our business associates and employees. I'm thinking that it also goes beyond being fair. Like Steve said, what does it look like. Help me out with an example or two.
Ken at 9:16pm EDT - August 7, 2006
Ken; As soon as we finish this current discussion on knowing what to do when God is silent, we will return to the discussion on what it means in practical terms to be just. Blessings.
Michael Pink at 10:09am EDT - August 8, 2006


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