Justice!
The events that have taken place in the United States in recent times have shaken people. We realize that injustice is truly present in society. Judgments, convictions or even trials sometimes give the impression of an unequal, almost dual system. I'm talking about the United States' legal system here, but you and I know that wherever we are, the system tends to favor one social or ethnic group more than another.
Often when we hear “Christianity” or “Jesus” we think of the Western religion, the way in which the religion was spread and the different systems that have been established over time and on which they they rest. This is partly what we blame the current president of the United States among others, which causes many controversies.
So, based on these facts and the problems they pose, let's go back to biblical basics about a subject that is shaking the planet: justice. Some will tell us that citizens rising up to do justice is not normal, that not to confront is to sit while waiting for things to happen is the most normal thing. To be very honest, this is the way of thinking that I had for the majority of my life. I suffered and saw injustice without wanting to act or tackle the problem, even with those I considered close friends.
And then I turned to God. I gave my heart to Christ, and I realized that God is a just God. He never endured injustice, nor even encouraged it. I posted a verse from Isaiah 1:17 a few weeks ago, which talks about speaking up for those who cannot. Now, I don't want to make you believe that this is the only time the Bible tells us about our responsibility in the face of injustice.
We can first think of the story of the wicked judge. If you don't know this story, let me explain it to you. You can also find it more complete in the Bible in Luke 18: 1 to 8. To put it simply, it is the story of a woman, a widow, who found herself in conflict with people. When she went to seek justice from the judge, the judge refused her. It was through insistence that she got what she wanted. Jesus added at the end of this story:
“And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” ” (Luke 18: 7-8).
We see here that the one who suffers from injustice should in no case remain silent in the face of those who persecute him, but on the contrary seeks to obtain what is due to him.
In addition, Jesus affirms here that God will do justice to those who cry out to him.
This allows us to see how the underdog must respond to injustice, but also to know that God is the Just Judge, the One who will not fail. But, while this is important to note, it is also notable that it does not address our responsibility as witnesses to injustice.
So let me share with you a few verses that show the call that God makes to us:
Psalm 82: 3-4 says ”Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
Jeremiah 22: 3 commands “This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.”
And Leviticus 19:15 commands “‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”
These three passages are examples which command the judge and the citizen to enforce justice. I invite you to search for others if these are not enough for you.
So, without supporting violence, here is my conclusion: I have no right to remain silent in the face of injustice, in the face of discrimination and differentiation. This is not what the Bible commands me to do. So, if my words are not enough, I suppose that I will have to take actions, at my level. Using what I know and have to reach and impact those around me to enforce what the Bible tells me to use.
Wishing you a blessed week, I hope to see you when the next article is published,
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