Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
Practice these things and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9 Am I the only one searching for peace? I may be selfish in my endeavor to work my way through the “things” in Philippians 4:8 but I also feel like God has placed this verse in front of me so many times and I can’t possibly deny He is trying to get my attention! If you missed the first two – true and honorable – you can go back and read those or pick up here with Just.
What is “just”?
According to Miriam Webster, just is “based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair.”
What better place to discover what is morally right and fair than from God himself through His word? Please join me in scripture journaling this month. We will focus on scriptures about just things.
JUST: decent; equitable; ethical; even-handed; fair; good; honest; impartial; just; moral; neutral; objective; righteous; unbiased; unprejudiced; upright;
I have made a list of 30 verses that highlight our just God, 1 verse per day in November. I pray it moves you closer to God. Please come back and share how scripture journaling affects your day-to-day life. Download the plan below.
God is a just God, meaning he demands punishment for our sins, our wrongdoings. It is so easy to look at the world and wonder how Jane can do so many awful things and be successful in life? How can Joe have so many sins in his life and still be rolling in the cash? Or have a beautiful home? Or a car that runs and isn’t in the shop all the time? What is your standard of living?
Mollie recently shared about abundant living, you can read about that here.
One thing we each need to remember as we look around and think others have it “better” than us is that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Romans 3:23-24
Aren’t you glad God didn’t strike you down on the spot that time you told “just a little white lie”, or swiped a piece of candy from the checkout line while shopping with mom?
Our God is also full of mercy and grace. He knew we were all going to fall short of his desire for us. He knows not a single one of us is perfect. If you are struggling to see the need for God’s forgiveness in your own life, read Romans 3, yes the whole chapter. Don’t worry it’s short 
If you see the need for forgiveness from God, don’t worry we all need it at some point in our lives, or if you’re like me – daily, know that our all-knowing God made a plan for that. He sent His only son to die on the cross for us. Read more here. Or reach out to any of us here at OneBlessedMomma.com.
Teaching our children about God being just also requires us to teach about His mercy. I can’t imagine teaching one without the other.
One of my favorite ways I have ever heard of doing this came from a book I read 18 years ago, as I was expecting my first child. Creative Correction by Lisa Welchel. She suggests placing papers with chores/punishments in a jar with one paper not being labeled with a punishment, but rather God’s mercy. If they pull the paper labeled with God’s mercy, be ready to discuss the forgiveness of God, the power and need of his forgiveness, and the gift we’ve received through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
If you have 3 minutes, I would strongly recommend listening to the song below. “Lamb of God” always convicts me and reminds me how much I need the Lamb of God and how blessed I am to receive His mercy.
Teaching ourselves to focus on what is just, truly is a blessing as we are reminded of a characteristic of God. How did focusing on our just God help you this month? Did it change your perspective at all?
Come back in December for “whatever is pure”. If you haven’t read “True” or “honorable” yet, click on a link below.
Download your free printable
Whatever is Just scripture list
Meet Melinda!
Melinda is a Christian, a wife, and a mom of 6. She has a blended family and has spent much time trying to learn how to "mom". She's still not perfect, but it makes her that much more grateful for God's grace and mercy in her life.