God’s Justice and the Refining Presence of Christ

Today’s reflection centers on the deep human longing for justice and fairness, a longing that is hardwired into us from childhood. We see this in our reactions to unfairness, whether in the playground, the workplace, or the world at large. The cry for justice is not new; it echoes through the ages, as seen in the complaints of God’s people in Malachi’s day. They returned from exile with high hopes, only to find their society still riddled with corruption, poverty, and injustice. Their disappointment bred cynicism, and they began to question God’s character, wondering if He was indifferent to evil and suffering.

Yet, God’s response to these doubts is not a detailed explanation, but the promise of His refining presence. Through Malachi, God announces the coming of two messengers: one to prepare the way (fulfilled in John the Baptist), and another—the “messenger of the covenant”—who is Jesus Himself. Jesus’ arrival is not what the people expected. Instead of a political deliverer who would crush their enemies, He comes to purify hearts, exposing hypocrisy and calling for inward renewal.

The refining work of God is likened to a refiner’s fire and cleansing soap—processes that separate impurities from what is precious. This purification begins with God’s own people, challenging them to confront their own duplicity before pointing fingers at the world’s injustices. Jesus’ ministry exposes not only the hypocrisy of religious systems but also the personal inconsistencies in each of us. The call is to allow God’s refining presence to work within, so that we might reflect His righteousness in a broken world.

God’s justice is not absent; it is patient, purposeful, and ultimately redemptive. The trials, conflicts, and setbacks we face are often the very means by which God shapes us, burning away the dross so that His image might be seen in us. Rather than running from the discomfort of refinement, we are invited to surrender to it, trusting in God’s unchanging love and mercy. In doing so, we grow in the fear of the Lord—a deep reverence that motivates us to live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The longing for justice is a God-given instinct, but when unmet, it can breed cynicism and doubt toward God’s character. The danger lies in confusing God’s patience with indifference, which can erode faith and distort our understanding of His nature. We must learn to trust that God’s timing and methods are rooted in His wisdom and love, even when we cannot see immediate results. [49:49]
• 2. God’s answer to our cries for justice is not always an explanation, but the gift of His refining presence. Through Christ, God purifies His people, not by removing all external injustice at once, but by transforming hearts from within. This inward renewal is the foundation for true justice in the world, as God’s people become agents of His righteousness. [51:39]
• 3. The process of refinement is often uncomfortable, involving trials, setbacks, and exposure of our own hypocrisy. Like a refiner who knows just how long to keep silver in the fire, God uses these experiences to burn away what is false and impure in us. The goal is not our destruction, but that His image might be reflected more clearly in our lives. [59:21]
• 4. It is easy to spot hypocrisy and injustice in others, but much harder to recognize it in ourselves. Jesus calls us to first address the “log” in our own eye before we focus on the “speck” in someone else’s. True discipleship requires a willingness to let God expose and heal our own duplicity, so that we can genuinely reflect His righteousness to the world. [63:21]
• 5. The fear of the Lord—a deep reverence for God’s holiness—motivates us to pursue justice, mercy, and humility. God’s refining work is not meant to shame or condemn, but to conform us to the image of Christ. As we surrender to His process, we discover that His love, mercy, and grace are unchanging, and we become vessels of His justice and compassion in a broken world. [70:19]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [34:23] - Praying for the Persecuted and the Brokenhearted
• [35:18] - Ministry of Presence: Praying for Frontline Workers
• [36:41] - Compassion for Suffering Nations
• [38:43] - Opening to Malachi: The Call to Justice
• [39:22] - The Human Instinct for Fairness
• [41:15] - Wrestling with Injustice in the World
• [43:07] - Malachi’s Context: Disappointment and Cynicism
• [45:04] - God’s Accusation: Weariness and Blind Spots
• [46:24] - The Danger of Accusing God of Indifference
• [49:49] - Confusing God’s Patience with Indifference
• [51:39] - God’s Answer: The Refining Presence
• [52:14] - The Promise of Two Messengers
• [56:36] - Jesus’ Unexpected Purification of the Temple
• [58:40] - The Refiner’s Fire: Purification and Renewal
• [63:21] - Exposing Hypocrisy: Jesus’ Teaching
• [67:45] - God’s Judgment: Social, Economic, and Spiritual Injustice
• [70:19] - The Fear of the Lord and the Purpose of Refinement
• [73:40] - Surrendering to the Refiner’s Hands
• [74:56] - Responding in Prayer and Worship

Bible Reading

Malachi 3:1-5 (ESV) — > “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.”

Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV) — > “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Observation Questions

1. In Malachi 3:1-5, what two “messengers” does God promise to send, and what are their roles? ([52:14])
2. According to the passage, what is the purpose of the “refiner’s fire” and “fuller’s soap”? What do these images communicate about God’s work among His people? ([58:40])
3. In Matthew 7:3-5, what does Jesus say about noticing faults in others versus ourselves? How does He describe hypocrisy? ([01:03:21])
4. What kinds of injustices does God say He will judge in Malachi 3:5? List the specific examples given. ([01:08:24])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why might God choose to answer the people’s complaints about injustice with the promise of His refining presence, rather than a direct explanation or immediate action? ([51:39])
2. What does it mean that God’s refining work “begins with His own people”? How does this challenge the way we think about justice and change in the world? ([59:21])
3. According to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7, why is it important to address our own hypocrisy before confronting others about theirs? How does this relate to the process of spiritual refinement? ([01:03:21])
4. The sermon mentions that God’s justice is “patient, purposeful, and ultimately redemptive.” How does this perspective help us deal with situations where we see evil prosper or good people suffer? ([49:49])

Application Questions

1. The longing for justice is described as something “hardwired” into us, but unmet longing can lead to cynicism and doubt toward God. Have you ever felt disappointed or cynical because of injustice you’ve witnessed? How did it affect your faith or view of God? ([49:49])
2. The sermon warns about confusing God’s patience with indifference. Are there areas in your life or in the world where you’ve been tempted to think God doesn’t care because He hasn’t acted yet? How can you remind yourself of His wisdom and love in those moments? ([49:49])
3. God’s refining work is often uncomfortable and exposes our own hypocrisy. Can you identify a recent trial, setback, or conflict that might be part of God’s refining process in your life? How did you respond, and what might it look like to “surrender” to God’s refining work? ([59:21])
4. It’s easy to spot hypocrisy and injustice in others, but much harder to see it in ourselves. Is there an area where you’ve been quick to judge others but slow to examine your own heart? What would it look like to “take the log out of your own eye” this week? ([01:03:21])
5. The fear of the Lord is described as a deep reverence that motivates us to pursue justice, mercy, and humility. What does “fearing the Lord” look like in your daily life—at work, at home, or in your relationships? ([01:10:19])
6. The sermon says that God’s refining work is not meant to shame or condemn, but to conform us to the image of Christ. When you think about areas where you need growth or change, do you tend to feel shame, or do you see it as an invitation to become more like Jesus? How can you shift your perspective? ([01:10:19])
7. Think of a specific injustice or area of brokenness in your community or the world. How might God be calling you to reflect His justice and compassion there—not just by pointing out what’s wrong, but by letting Him refine your own heart first? ([51:39])