Man’s Justice System vs. God’s Righteous Judgment | If Man Can What More Can God Do?

Why do people take us to court, or why do we take people to court?

The purpose of courts is to uphold justice, defend the innocent, and punish the guilty. Yet human systems are often flawed because they are administered by imperfect people. 

Judges may be swayed by public pressure, political influence, or personal bias. As a result, innocent lives are sometimes destroyed while the guilty walk free.

History gives us sobering reminders of this. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., though committed to peaceful protest, was arrested multiple times under unjust laws meant to silence his fight for civil rights. 

Martin Luther King Jr.  once wrote from his Birmingham jail cell that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” His case reminds us that legality and morality are not the same—and that earthly courts do not always uphold true justice.

In more recent years, we have seen men and women wrongly convicted, spending decades behind bars before being exonerated. Some have even faced death sentences only to be found innocent later. These tragedies highlight the limitations of human systems.

The Bible also illustrates this reality. Jesus Himself, though innocent, was condemned by a court that caved to political pressure. 

Pilate declared, “I find no basis for a charge against him” (John 18:38, NIV), yet still handed Him over to be crucified. 

Likewise, Paul was imprisoned repeatedly, not because he broke laws, but because he proclaimed the truth of the gospel.

In contrast, God’s justice is perfect. 

Isaiah 11:4 (NIV) says: “With righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.” 

Revelation 20:12 (NLT) paints a picture of the final judgment: “I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened… And the dead were judged according to what they had done.” 

Unlike earthly courts, nothing can be hidden from God. No innocent person will be condemned, and no guilty person will escape.

Even today, many believers are persecuted and sentenced unjustly around the world. Yet Scripture assures us that when Christ returns, He will judge with righteousness and equity. 

Matthew 16:27 (NKJV) says: “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”

If man can build justice systems that try to uphold fairness but often fail, how much greater is the justice of God—the Righteous Judge who never errs? 

Let us place our hope in Him, for every wrong will be made right when His Kingdom comes in fullness.