6.2 God Is Entirely Good and Righteous
God is Perfect – in Justice, Faithfulness, and Love

Read Deuteronomy 32:4 and Psalm 92:16. What do these verses teach us about God’s faithfulness and justice?

The Bible reveals to us a God who not only demands love and justice but lives them in a perfect way. His faithfulness and justice are unwavering and limitless. Deuteronomy 32:4 describes God as the “Rock,” whose “deeds are perfect” and whose ways “are all just.” Psalm 92:16 confirms that He is just and that no injustice can be found in Him.

These truths stand in direct contrast to human nature. While people are often led astray by selfishness, ignorance, or sin, God always acts according to perfect wisdom and love. Zephaniah 3:5 shows that God’s justice is consistent – every morning He brings His righteousness to light, yet the wicked remain stubborn in their behavior.

God’s perfect justice means that He does not act in a partisan or arbitrary way. He knows the best way for all people and always works to achieve what is best for them. Even if we sometimes do not immediately understand God’s actions, we can be sure that He operates in love and justice.

This realization should strengthen our faith and encourage us to follow Him with complete trust. When we recognize God’s perfect justice, we can live in the assurance that He directs everything in His wisdom – for our good and for the glorification of His name.

Read Psalm 9:8–9 and Psalm 145:8–18. What do these verses teach us about God?

The Bible teaches us that God is a just judge who rules the world with justice (Psalm 9:8–9). He judges impartially and perfectly because His very nature is the source of all justice. Unlike human judges, who are fallible, God is absolutely just, without any injustice or malice (Psalm 5:5).

Psalm 145:8–18 reveals another wonderful dimension of God’s nature: His justice is always coupled with mercy and kindness. He is “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” (v. 8). His love and justice do not contradict one another – rather, they complement each other perfectly. While human power is often misused for selfish purposes, God always employs His omnipotence in accordance with His love and truth.

This divine balance is also evident in Exodus 33:18–19, where Moses asks to see God’s glory. God’s response is astonishing: He reveals His glory by showing His goodness. This makes it clear that true glory does not lie solely in power, but in the perfect union of love, mercy, and justice.

These attributes of God give us hope and confidence. They remind us that God not only judges justly but also acts kindly, lovingly, and full of grace. His judgment is not characterized by arbitrariness or harshness but by the deepest wisdom and goodness. In a world full of injustice, we can trust that God’s justice will ultimately be revealed and that even now He watches over His creation in love and mercy.

Why does such a good God allow so much evil in this world? Discuss this on the Sabbath.

This question is among the deepest and most difficult in the Christian faith. If God is perfectly good and just, why then is there suffering, injustice, and evil in the world? The Bible offers us various insights to help better understand this challenge.

1. God Created Man with Free Will

   God is love (1 John 4:8), and true love cannot be forced. That is why God created man with free will – the ability to choose between good and evil. Unfortunately, man often chooses the wrong path, and the consequences of these choices are evident in our world (Deuteronomy 30:19).

2. Evil Is a Consequence of Sin

   The Bible teaches us that evil originated in Satan’s rebellion against God (Isaiah 14:12–14; Ezekiel 28:15–17). Since the fall in the Garden of Eden, the world has been affected by sin and its consequences (Romans 5:12). Disease, suffering, injustice, and death are not created by God but are the result of separation from Him.

3. God Is Patient and Gives Room for Repentance

   One reason why God still allows evil is His patience and His desire for people to turn back to Him (2 Peter 3:9). He does not want to lose anyone but rather gives everyone the opportunity to accept His love.

4. God Can Bring Good Out of Evil

   Although evil exists in the world, God can ultimately turn it to good. The story of Joseph clearly shows this (Genesis 50:20): “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” Even if we do not understand suffering, we can trust that God, in His wisdom, will work everything out for the best (Romans 8:28).

5. God’s Justice Will Ultimately Be Revealed

   The Bible promises that God will not allow evil to reign forever. A day will come when He will judge all injustice and ultimately reveal His justice (Revelation 21:4). Until then, we are called to shine as lights in a fallen world, to pass on God’s love, and to trust in His justice.

The fact that God is perfectly good and just should not remain merely a theological truth, but should directly influence our daily lives and our faith. When we recognize that God’s justice and goodness are absolute and unchanging, it has several practical implications for our everyday life.

1. Trust in God’s Guidance

   We often encounter situations where we experience injustice or do not understand why certain things happen. Yet the Bible assures us that God is “the Rock” whose “deeds are perfect” (Deuteronomy 32:4). This means we can trust Him in all circumstances – even when we do not immediately understand what He is doing. This trust helps us let go of worries and fears and strengthens our faith.

2. Reflect Justice in Our Actions

   God’s character is our model. Psalm 145:8–18 shows that God is gracious, compassionate, and abounding in kindness. As His children, we should reflect these attributes in our daily lives. This means:

   • Fairness in Our Decisions – Whether at work, in the family, or with friends, we are to act honestly, justly, and without prejudice.

   • Practicing Patience and Mercy – Just as God is patient and abounding in kindness, we should show patience toward others, even when they wrong us.

   • Advocating for Justice – God expects us not to stand by idly when injustice occurs. Whether it is social injustice, poverty, or discrimination, we are called to stand up for justice within our capacity.

3. Hope in Difficult Times

   In a world full of injustice, many wonder: Why does God not intervene immediately? But the Bible explains that God is long-suffering and gives everyone the opportunity to repent (2 Peter 3:9). This means we do not have to despair when we experience injustice. We can trust that God’s justice will one day be fully revealed (Revelation 21:4). This hope helps us remain steadfast in challenging times.

4. Peace Through God’s Unchanging Faithfulness

   God’s nature remains eternally faithful and just. This means that His promises are reliable and we do not have to rely on human justice, which is often flawed. Psalm 9:8–9 tells us that God will judge in righteousness. So when we see injustice prevailing on earth, we can trust that God will ultimately set everything right.

Conclusion: God as a Model for Our Lives
God’s perfect justice and goodness are not merely theoretical concepts – they have a direct impact on our daily lives and our faith. We are called to place our trust in Him, to live in justice and mercy, to hold on to hope in difficult times, and to reflect His character in our actions.

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” (Psalm 145:8)
Let us be guided by this truth as we lead lives that honor God in our everyday actions.

God’s justice is perfect, His love unwavering – in Him we find true hope and peace.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-6-gods-love-of-justice-6-2-god-is-entirely-good-and-righteous-the-god-of-love-and-justice-living-faith/

 

February 3, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – 2 Thessalonians Chapter 1

¹ Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

⁴ So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

⁵ Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

⁶ Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

⁷ And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

⁸ In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

⁹ Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

¹⁰ When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

¹¹ Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

¹² That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

King James Version. Public Domain

 

Commentary

Introduction

The first section of the Second Thessalonians shows how Paul encourages the church in Thessalonica to remain steadfast in their faith despite their sufferings and persecutions. He commends them for their growth in faith and love and reminds them that their suffering is not in vain. Rather, it is a sign that they belong to the Kingdom of God. At the same time, Paul speaks about God’s righteous judgment: while the believers will find comfort and rest, God’s just judgment will come upon the ungodly and those who do not obey the gospel. This section calls us to remain faithful in times of trial, trusting that God will ultimately bring about justice.

Commentary

Paul begins with an encouragement: the Thessalonians are under persecution, yet their faith is growing. He highlights their patience and steadfast faith—two important characteristics of a mature Christian church.
The central theme of this chapter is God’s righteous judgment. Paul makes it clear that God will one day judge all injustice. The believers who suffer for their faith will be rewarded, while those who reject the gospel will face judgment. This emphasizes an important point: God sees everything and will ultimately bring about justice.
Particularly impressive is the description of the return of Christ: He will appear with flames of fire and angels, to both glorify His saints and execute judgment on the ungodly. This demonstrates that the return of Jesus is both a hope for believers and a warning for unbelievers.
At the end of the chapter, Paul offers a prayer for the Thessalonians. He asks God to make them worthy of His calling and to complete the work of their faith with power. This shows that our faith is not only focused on the future but also has significant implications for our present lives.

Summary

1. Encouragement for the Believers – Paul commends the Thessalonians for their growing faith and love despite persecution.

2. God’s Righteous Judgment – God will judge the unrighteous, but He will grant the believers comfort and rest.

3. The Return of Christ – Jesus will appear in glory to glorify His saints and execute judgment.

4. A Prayer for Steadfastness – Paul prays that the Thessalonians may live worthy of their calling and grow in the power of faith.

The central message of this chapter is a comfort for the afflicted and a reminder that God will one day bring about justice. Our task is to remain faithful and steadfast until Christ returns.

 

 

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | Steps to Christ
Chapter 3—Repentance
Read online here

 

Commentary

Introduction

Repentance is the first step toward true conversion and reconciliation with God. But what does genuine repentance mean? Is it merely a fear of the consequences of sin, or is it a profound turning away from it? The Bible shows us that true repentance is not only the acknowledgment of our faults but also an inner transformation that leads us to Christ. Many wonder how they can come into alignment with God. The answer is: through sincere repentance and the acceptance of God’s grace. In this chapter, we recognize that genuine repentance does not come from ourselves, but is the work of the Holy Spirit who convicts our hearts and draws us to Christ.

Commentary

The Bible distinguishes between genuine and false repentance. False repentance is often evident in people who fear the consequences of their sin but do not hate the sin itself. Examples of this are Esau, Balaam, Judas, and Pharaoh – each of them repented of their actions, but not from a change of heart, rather out of fear of punishment.

True repentance, on the other hand, is a deep recognition of the sinfulness of one’s own life and a sincere desire for change. King David is an example of true repentance: he recognized his guilt, sought God’s forgiveness, and asked not only for cleansing but for a new heart and a renewed spirit (Psalm 51).

This true repentance cannot be achieved by human effort alone. It is Christ who leads us to repentance. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and shows us the righteousness of Christ. Those who become aware of the love and suffering of Jesus are moved to conversion. Only through Christ’s work on the cross can we recognize our sinful nature and develop a sincere desire for change.

Many people mistakenly believe that they must first repent before they can come to Christ. Yet the Bible teaches that Christ himself grants us repentance. Without him, we are not capable of truly regretting our sin or turning away from it. Therefore, Jesus calls, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Another obstacle to true repentance is self-righteousness. Many believe that they are not as sinful as others and therefore do not need a profound conversion. But it is precisely pride and self-deception that separate us from God. The Bible shows that even small sins can have serious consequences – even the disobedience of Adam and Eve led to suffering and death in the world.

The chapter concludes with an urgent warning: whoever repeatedly rejects God’s invitation to convert hardens their heart. The best time for repentance is now – for every delay can cause the heart to become increasingly unresponsive to God’s voice.

Summary

1.False and True Repentance – Genuine repentance does not mean fearing the consequences of sin, but hating the sin itself.

2.The Work of the Holy Spirit – Repentance is not a human achievement but the work of God. The Holy Spirit convicts us and draws us to Christ.

3.The Cross as the Key to Repentance – Whoever recognizes the suffering and love of Christ will be moved to conversion. God’s goodness leads us to repentance.

4.The Danger of Procrastination – Those who delay their conversion harden their hearts and risk missing out on God’s grace.

This chapter urgently calls us to true repentance—not out of fear of punishment, but out of love for God. Whoever recognizes and repents of their sin has the door wide open to forgiveness and renewal.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/03-02-2025-2-thessalonians-chapter-1-believe-his-prophets/