January 31

God is Just

Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 19:7; Psalm 89:14; 1 Peter 1:17; Romans 3:21-26

Jerry Sittser was driving his family home from a visit to a Native American Reservation in rural Idaho.  A drunk driver, traveling eighty-five miles per hour, jumped his lane and smashed head on into the Sittser minivan.  The driver’s pregnant wife was killed, along with Jerry’s mother, wife, and young daughter.  Amazingly, the drunk driver was later acquitted of wrongdoing, though he was clearly the driver and was at fault.  The loss, the grief, and injustice of it all was a lot for Jerry to deal with–and it would be natural for him to want revenge–but he wrote later of his experience, “I think that I was spared excessive preoccupation with revenge because I believe that God is just, even though the judicial system is not.  Ultimately, every human being will have to stand before God, and God will judge every person with wisdom and impartiality.  Human systems may fail; God’s justice does not.” (By the way, I’d heartily recommend his book “A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows Through Loss.”).

Given the current state of affairs, we might wonder, as did the prophet Habakkuk, what has happened to justice (Habakkuk 1:4)?  Has Lady Justice lost her blindfold?  Are her scales no longer accurate?  It’s good in such a climate to remind ourselves that there is a higher throne and on that throne justice always prevails (Psalm 89:14).  God is just and He always acts consistent to His character.  He rules His creation with integrity, always keeps His word, and renders to all His creatures their due.  God is just and fair, completely rational and predictable in His dealings, without any shadow of capriciousness.

Of course, in consideration of this particular attribute of God, there is another matter we must deal with.  The fact is that in the courtroom of divine justice we all stand guilty before our Creator (Romans 3:23, 6:23).  How is the Judge to remain just if we are not punished for our crimes?  Though all have sinned, those who believe in Christ “are justified (declared righteous) by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).  God put forth Christ to satisfy, by His blood, the punishment due.  In this manner God is “just and justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26)!  Praise God!

John MacDuff, “Wondrous Thought–Justice, the very attribute which excluded the sinner, has become the first to throw open a door of welcome, proclaiming that infinite merit has canceled out infinite demerit–infinite holiness has covered infinite sin!  While “justice and judgment” are the habitation of God’s throne, provision has been made whereby, in perfect consistency with every principle of His moral government, “mercy and truth” may go continually before His face!”

Heavenly Father.  Our hearts are burdened by all the injustice we see in our world.  We praise You as the One who is always perfectly just, whose justice will never fail.  Thank you for providing a way that You might be both just and justifier of those who believe in Your Son!  Help us to leave the injustices we deal with in Your hands for You to deal with in Your timing.  

Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness

My Beauty are, my glorious dress;

‘Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed

With joy shall I lift up my head.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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