At the foundation of a worldview in which justice is derived from above lies the belief that every deed earns its inevitable reward or punishment.

Divine Retribution: The Moral Compass of Eternal Justice

At the foundation of a worldview in which justice is derived from above lies the belief that every deed earns its inevitable reward or punishment. This understanding helps people distinguish between good and evil, stimulating an inner struggle against their own vices and encouraging the development of spiritual qualities. In the Christian tradition, the idea of an afterlife reward and punishment—whether in the form of delight or suffering—serves as a powerful incentive for moral effort, reminding us that the path to salvation does not come without effort and self-sacrifice during earthly life. This perspective explains why, even in moments of apparent well-being, one must be cautious about violating the laws of the universe, for even the slightest deviation may bring about inevitable consequences. Ultimately, it is through an awareness of justice based on divine retribution that a person comes to understand the true value of eternal life, striving to overcome personal weaknesses and come closer to the ideal of sanctity. This inner drive, blending a sense of responsibility with hope for divine justice, continues to inspire an ongoing pursuit of truth and goodness.

How does faith in divine retribution influence the understanding of justice for those who commit evil deeds?

Faith in divine retribution forms the fundamental understanding of justice, especially for those who commit evil acts. This faith teaches that every deed has its inevitable reward or punishment, reinforcing the moral distinction between good and evil. Thus, individuals, aware that any wicked deed will inevitably be penalized, experience moral pressure and are driven to transform their souls, aspiring to goodness and sanctity.

For example, one of the sources from file link txt explains this aspect as follows:
"How are we to understand Christian teaching about afterlife retribution, about the suffering or bliss after death? The concept of retribution generally means that a person receives a reward they deserve—something new that they did not have before. Regarding the afterlife, retribution is expressed either through future delights in reward for merits or through suffering as punishment for sins. The concept of retribution is linked with the legal understanding of a person's highest good. However, if eternal life is the result of one’s moral development and labor, then the legal idea of retribution falls away." (source: link txt)

Another excerpt from the same source emphasizes that it is precisely the idea of retribution that helps people grasp the true meaning of eternal life and the necessity of a continual struggle against sinful passions:
"To truly understand what the bliss of eternal life entails, one must first love goodness and sanctity, and consider these as one’s own good. A self-loving person thinks more about themselves than about moral goodness, seeking happiness rather than truth. If a self-lover is told that this very good, which they so fear and do not understand, will be their highest reward, it will not attract them. A self-lover (that is, all of us) must toil and suffer greatly in order to become good. They face a difficult struggle until the very last moment of earthly life—a struggle against sin, against sinful habits and passions, against themselves. For a person as feeble as this, the concept of retribution is necessary; it is needed to point out that only goodness as truth can lead one to a true life, to eternal life in God, while evil inevitably threatens suffering, even though, like every lie, it also flatters self-pity." (source: link txt)

Another statement underscores the belief that every evil act has its fate:
"God whispers to us amidst our pleasures, speaks aloud with our conscience, but He shouts in our pain—this is His megaphone so that the deaf world may hear. An evil person, even when happy, is someone who is completely unaware that his actions do not 'correspond,' that they do not resonate with the laws of the universe. Understanding this truth forms the basis of the common human belief that bad people must pay the price." (source: link txt)

These quotations clearly demonstrate that faith in divine retribution exerts a powerful influence on the perception of justice. It not only shapes our moral consciousness by signaling the inevitable punishment for evil but also propels us to engage in a constant inner battle for moral perfection. Ultimately, this understanding of justice helps those who commit evil deeds realize that their actions carry eternal consequences, and that only the path of goodness can lead to true salvation.