He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place. Jeremiah 22:3
Social Media and the News are blasting bad news daily. Injustice, violence, and oppression are the cries of many. Some who call themselves by Christ go so far as saying "If you're a Christian, you should do something about this!" while conveniently not living according to the Scriptures. I think we should be upset. Absolutely. God is a God of Justice, and HE will be the one to pay. Why is it when injustice occurs, someone always points to Christians and says "What are you going to do about it?" Believe it or not, unless we're in legislature, or Law enforcement or whatever influence on justice Christians may have, the response of the Christian is to be personally accountable to Justice and Mercy. They're to SHOW it, not enforce it. We should be upset at injustice, and if we have the influence, yes, get something done, but here is my question for the do something crowd: If we "do something" and yet the world does not hear the message of Jesus, what good have we done, really? If we have a safer place to live, and yet people are not hearing that soul changing Gospel, what good have we done if the world is safer, and people are still destined for Hell?
Our roles as Christians is not to be the Judge. Only God sits on that throne, and we're not the Jury either, He is fair and just alone. We're to be as John the Baptist, a voice on the fringe of society, in a time when enforcers of the law issue punishment and harsh, often deadly sentences on the people. Where the people cry for injustice, instead of crying out on Rome, he cried out against the religious hypocrisy, calling "make way the paths of the Lord." Instead of calling out against the oppressive, violent government, He was calling people to "repent, for the Kingdom is at hand." Jesus is coming. If the world is neat and orderly, a safe and good place to live, but void of Jesus, it's still doomed. We're not here to "cry out for Justice," we're here to call out injustice as our need for repentance and to call people to a change of heart. Here is what Paul, often beaten, often imprisoned, often treated unfairly, says we should do: Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[i] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-21
