“It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity” (Proverbs 21:15).
The Greek root dikaio- has two basic and important shades of meaning; therefore, it is usually translated into English by two significant words—“righteous” and “just”. When someone is living in adherence to God’s moral laws (i.e., he is doing the right thing), the word “righteous” is usually used. When someone violates God’s moral laws and is fairly punished for his misbehavior, the word “just” or “justice” is usually employed. Same coin, two different sides.
Because God is just/righteous (Prov. 21:13), the godly man is also. Right and wrong matter. Moral issues are not trivial concerns; they are passionate pursuits. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness (Mat. 5:6) and prioritizing God’s righteousness first in his life (Mat. 6:33) is a joy for the just/righteous man.
Not so with the workers of iniquity. For many of them, all of life is political (a fundamental tenet of communism), not moral. Therefore, evils such as abortion, murder, and even trespassing are viewed through the window of expediency and the possibility of garnering more political power. To them, it is not a matter of right and wrong. Such wickedness from these workers of iniquity will be destroyed by the righteous/just God of heaven.
