If I say “justice” most of us would think “punishment” or “reward” based upon what we have done.

We want justice. We have a strong need for justice. It is extremely painful to live under an unjust government. We cry out for the guilty to be punished and the innocent set free.

On a personal level, What hurts worse than being blamed for something you didn’t do? Or not getting the promotion you’ve work so hard for? How many times have you looked at a situation and thought “that’s just not right?”
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00:00 Woman Caught in Adultery
02:12 Jesus Redefined Justice Through the Cross
04:11 Action Step: Living With Justice and Mercy
1. Let God Be the Judge
05:24 2. Forgive
6:06 3. Releasing healing and transformation
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When confronted with a woman caught in adultery, Jesus refused to condemn her and set her free.

Jesus just let her go, her sin unpunished. This was a shadow (a type or model) of the justice Jesus would provide for all humanity on the cross.
Jesus Redefined Justice Through the Cross

On the cross, Jesus redefined justice. His actions spoke loudly, “This is my justice. I have paid for every wrong and every sin humanity will ever commit.” He paid for our crimes. They are paid in full.

Jesus gave us mercy and grace – undeserved favor. And he calls us to live in His Justice – Justice tempered with mercy and grace:
“Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

God is the only judge. We are to live like Jesus, not judging but letting God judge. We don’t know all the facts or understand what is going on in the hearts of people. So God warns us not to judge others.
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.
The justice Jesus brought to earth is not rooted in punishment but in compassion and forgiveness. His justice convicts of sin, but it also leads to repentance. It is a justice that restores what is broken, heals what is wounded, and transforms us into new creations.

Jesus’ justice absolutely will not compromise with sin—the penalty for sin is death. Yet, His love for sinners is unconditional. His justice aches for those held captive by Satan, sin, and self, and it reaches out to save, heal, and deliver them.

Jesus’ Justice is holiness empowered by love.
Action Step: Let God Judge

This is really about putting justice in God's hands. We often feel that people who do bad things to us or others should be punished. Some people go to Social Media to expose people who offend or hurt them somehow. Jesus' justice is a justice of redemption, of healing and of transformation. Jesus doesn't just condemn us and leave us to work ourselves out of our mess.
No. He throws us a lifeline. A lifeline of His love. Of mercy. And grace – favor we don’t deserve, but He gives to us anyway.

Step 1 Let Go. It begins with letting go of what you feel, your anger, your offense, and what you think should happen to that person. Let God be the judge. Jesus is very clear. You received grace from Him and He expects and requires you to give grace to others. Favor they don't deserve. Forgiveness. Love for people who are very unlovely at that moment.
And we go along with this because Jesus tells us to. But when we do, we quickly realize that Jesus' love is what brings us to repentence. Jesus love is what turns us around.

Step 2 Forgive
Move from criticism to compassion.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins
Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Step 3. God Will Heal, Restore and Transform through Your Forgiveness and Mercy
As we give others Jesus’ justice (His love, mercy and undeserved favor). His justice convicts of sin and leads to repentance. It restores what is broken, heals what is wounded, and transforms them and us into new people.
Romans 2:4 NLT
God has been kind to you. He has been very patient, waiting for you to change. But you think nothing of his kindness. Maybe you don’t understand that God is kind to you so that you will decide to change your lives.
Jesus’ forgiveness of the woman caught in adultery was probably the greatest act of love she ever received from a man. I believe it radically changed her life. Your forgiveness of others will do the same.