Justice

I recently ran into a woman who said that she had moved from an American Baptist church to a Southern Baptist church, because the American Baptists were essentially too liberal.  They didn't talk enough about salvation or the punishment of God.  Many conservative Christians talk about God being a god of justice.  They say that people forget that God does punish people.  Yes, that is true.  God does judge people and He does render consequences.  He isn't a wimp that just puts up with sin or looks the other way.  He doesn't blindly offer salvation to the unrighteous.  But the Bible also says that "God is love".  His heart isn't hard.   What does justice entail?  Justice is people getting what they deserve.  But is justice only punishment for wrong actions (sin?)  No. Justice is also respect, love, and help for the poor and the oppressed.  It is helping the poverty-stricken, mentally or physically, gain the life that they deserve.  God is a god of justice, but their are two sides to justice, not just one.  It is a tragedy lest we forget either side.