The Justice Calling

This month we begin a new book and Bible study based on “The Justice Calling” by Bethany Hoang, a book that beautifully aligns with our territorial LOVE priority under the pillar of Biblical Justice. If you know me at all, you know that I care deeply about issues of justice, and I love Jesus with my whole heart. So, being able to talk about two of my greatest passions at the same time truly feels like a gift.

Before we dive in, I want to acknowledge something honestly: the word justice can make people uncomfortable. For some, it immediately sounds political or divisive. But let me say this clearly: over the next few months, we will not be talking about politics. We will be talking about Jesus. My prayer is that his name, his character, and his heart will speak to you as we explore this topic together.

Scripture is unmistakably clear about God’s call to justice. Isaiah 1:17 commands us to “learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.” Matthew 25:40 reminds us that whatever we do for “the least of these,” we do for Christ himself. Many of us think closeness with Jesus comes only through prayer, worship, or reading scripture. And yes, those are essential. But there is another, often overlooked way we draw near to him: by standing with the oppressed and speaking up for those who suffer.

Justice work is not political or social; it is spiritual. It is not a distraction from Jesus; it is a direct path to him. I long to be close to Jesus, to have a heart shaped like his, and to care about the things he cares about. He wants more than our songs and prayers; he wants our actions.

Isaiah 58 gives us a powerful picture of the kind of worship God desires. God rebukes His people for fasting and praying while mistreating workers and ignoring the marginalized. He says the fasting He chooses is to “loose the chains of injustice…to set the oppressed free…” (v 6), urging us to “share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter,” (v 7). And then comes the promise: “Then your light will break forth like the dawn and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer…He will say: Here am I,” (v 8-9).

I don’t know about you, but I want that. I want healing. I want the glory of the Lord to be my rear guard. I want to be counted as righteous.

As we begin this study, we will explore three foundational truths:

1. God Desires the Flourishing of All People and All Creation

At the heart of biblical justice is God’s deep commitment to the flourishing of every person He has made. Justice is not only about correcting what is wrong, it is about restoring what God intended from the beginning. We pursue justice because God’s character is revealed in His ongoing work to protect, uplift, and care for His people. When we love our neighbors, advocate for the vulnerable, and work toward wholeness, we reflect the God who desires abundant life for all.

2. Lament: Crying with Others

Lament is one of the most powerful and often forgotten spiritual practices. It keeps us connected to the God who loves justice, even when the world feels unbearably unjust. Lament gives us permission to ask hard questions, to grieve what is broken, and to stand in solidarity with those who suffer. When we lament with others, we join God in His compassion and refuse to look away from pain. Lament keeps our hearts soft and our hope alive.

3. The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Us

God could meet every need in the world without our help, but in His kindness, He invites us into His mission. The same Spirit who empowered Jesus to proclaim good news to the poor, set the oppressed free, and bring sight to the blind now empowers us. We are not called to justice work in our own strength. We step into the world with the Holy Spirit guiding, strengthening, and equipping us to embody hope for “the least of these.”

Biblical justice is not an optional add-on to the Christian life; it is central to the heart of God. As we begin this study, my prayer is that we will draw closer to Jesus by standing where he stands, loving whom he loves, and joining him in his mission to bring hope, healing, and justice to the world.