Hope for justice

Events of the past month have acted as a catalyst for change and caused people around the world to pause and consider the following question: what is justice, and how can it be brought about?

Image by @powell.media

We each carry an innate sense of right and wrong that guides what we perceive as fair. This often presents as a conviction that oppressors should be punished and the innocent protected. Our motivation is to ‘set things right’ and restore balance. But, how do we know what is right? Who defines ‘right’? Is it a society-at-large or the culture we live in? Is there a moral law that we inherently know to follow?

You may have your own answers to these questions, and that is okay. But I believe that the only true answers can be found in God’s word.

Biblical references to the word “justice” mean “to make right”. It refers to living in a right relationship with God, one another, and the natural creation. Justice means loving our neighbour as we love ourselves, and is rooted in the character and nature of God. Time and time again, God demonstrates His mercy and compassion for the least, the last and the lost. He loves justice (Isaiah 61 verse 8) and reveals Himself as a father to the fatherless, a defender of the afflicted, a saviour of the needy and of those who cry out and have no one to help (Psalms 68 verse 5; 72 verses 4 and 12). As our Father is just and loving, so we are called to do justice and live in love.

“For what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6 verse 8

So, how do we act justly?

We are to learn to do right, defend the weak and oppressed, take up the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow, maintain the rights of the poor, rescue the needy, and deliver them from the hand of the wicked (Psalm 82 verses 3 and 4; Isaiah 1 verse 17). To administer true justice, we are to “show mercy and compassion to one another” (Zechariah 7 verse 9). You may notice common words appearing in these verses: defend, rescue, deliver, learn, plead. We are called to take action. To act justly, we cannot walk through life with our eyes down. We must pray and search for opportunities to demonstrate love; to reach out, listen to one anothers troubles and make positive change.

Being active does not mean being aggressive, violent or forceful. We are to act like Christ and serve with a spirit of gentleness, humility, patience and self-control. We should not act in anger, rather strive to restore peace and forgive others as God forgives us. We are reminded in Romans 12 verse 19 not to take revenge, but wait for God’s wrath, for He is the only true judge and will repay each according to what they have done. For, “God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked… there will be a time to judge every deed” (Ecclesiastes 3 verse 17).

But when will this time be? When will there be complete justice on earth?

“My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations.” Isaiah 51 verses 4 and 5

Our world right now has death and pain. These are the consequence of mankind’s sin, or wrongdoing. But, when Jesus Christ walked on earth 2000 years ago, he overcame sin and provided us with a certain hope; one day the world and everything in it will be healed and restored. Jesus will return and establish God’s kingdom, and in this day “he will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth” (Isaiah 42 verse 4).  He will come in the cause of truth, righteousness and humility (Psalm 45 verse 4).

“Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf unstopped, the lame man shall leap like a deer and the tongue of the mute sing for joy… and the ransomed of the LORD shall return… everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 35

That is our hope for justice.