JUSTICE.
“Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6.8
“Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.” – Isaiah 1.17
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These things should have been done without neglecting the others.” – Matthew 23.23
I grew up watching the “Super Friends” cartoon in the mid and late 1970s. Superman, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Wonder Twins, and others fought for truth and justice. The Good Guys fighting the bad guys to help—usually rescue—someone in need.
Based on the verses which begin my article, I hope that we all can recognize and admit that standing for and fighting for justice is more than a theme for a cartoon show. It is more than a mere political whim put forth to garner more votes in an election. Justice is a biblical ideal and a mandate for God’s people to live out in our own lives, our life together in His church, AND to advocate for and defend in the midst of the culture in which we live.
Sadly, in our time crying out for justice has been mis-defined by a secular culture and misguided theological culture and given us ideas like the Social Gospel and Liberation Theology. Some have even co-opted the term ‘social justice’ and made it a political baseball bat to beat up on conservative politicians and politics. Others, especially within Evangelical Christianity, have taken the opportunity to demonize those who have regained a biblical focus on justice/social justice by labeling them as ‘social justice warriors’ or some kind of ‘cultural Marxists.’ Again, this is a sad state of affairs indeed.
Mischaracterizations, demonizations, and bad theological applications must not deter us from properly living out our biblical calling as the people of God. As hristians we must be on the front lines in defending the oppressed, persecuted, and outcast. God defines justice, and He calls us to clearly and unapologetically act, or live, justly. Truth of the matter is…only those redeemed by the blood of Christ are able to live a constant and consistent life which lines up with justice. Thankfully, some in our communities, states, and country will see injustice and be willing to join us in the pursuit of justice, and like I said as we stood up in defense of unborn children in light of the abortion industry headlined by Planned Parenthood, anyone who wants to stand with us is welcome. This must be the case as we seek to erase the ethnic tensions in our nation…as we seek to advocate for victims of abuse…as we seek to care for the sojourner in our midst…and as we seek to rescue children cast aside by a cruel world.
We will carry out these tasks, not to get a pat on the back from our community, not to gain the approval of any political organization, and not solely to make our world a better place. We will pursue these opportunities because the grace of God shining forth through the good news of the Gospel enables and compels us to do so. We show a world in darkness that the light of justice is more than a temporary matter…justice is eternal, because the one who created us and everything we see, requires justice—punishment for sin and blessing of righteousness. The same work of Jesus on the cross saves us—and anyone who calls on His name—from sin and empowers and emboldens us for lives which declare the ongoing justice of God. Let’s all take hold of the resolve to live in accord with the pure and undefiled religion which the Bible describes…
“Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” – James 1.27
Claycomo Baptist Church Pastor's Blog 