Justice

Scripture: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Justice is defined as seeking to help others through correcting and we are addressing wrong. It treats others fairly and shows no favoritism. I find it interesting that after years of injustice, our country is now in turmoil. As I watched the events of the last few years unfold, I’ve always said, ”I am a prayer warrior, not an activist.” I will pray for you, the family, the community, your family, the victims family, the oppressor’s family…everyone! But this time was different… Hearing Mr. Floyd call out that he could not breathe for eight minutes and 46 seconds changed me. It gripped my very soul and would not let go until I was challenged to ask God, what will you have me do? The Holy Spirit immediately took me to a book that’s been on my shelf for the last three or four years. There was a spiritual discipline specifically tied to justice, and from there I went to God’s word. I read and wrote in my journal for two hours straight, challenging the very words I’ve spoken just 24 hours earlier. I was being called to do more than pray. I was being called to change the way that the injustices of this world fit into my thoughts in daily life. We are called to act, meaning, to take some type of action at injustices or circumstances where mercy has taken a back seat. Does that action require violence? That is the question worth pondering. I’m reminded of a scripture in the book of Matthew that says that the kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent take it by force. Is that what’s happening in the world today? Is the kingdom of God under attack? Scripture - “Hate what is evil, love what is right, and see that justice prevails in the courts. Perhaps the Lord will be merciful to the people of this nation who are still left alive.” ‭‭Amos‬ ‭5:15‬ ‭GNTD‬‬ We are called to love what is right and see justice prevail and not turned a blind eye…and that sometimes takes work! Those of us in the kingdom of God are meant to turn this world upside down. Turning the world upside down means living like Jesus did. He did not come with a military army, but from a carpenter shop, mending the broken common lifting up the marginalized, honoring the shamed, caring for the oppressed, and mending the broken. So what can I do? What can you do? What can we do? How can we ACT against injustices? What are we doing to SEE justice prevail?

1. Share your resources (time, talent, and treasure) and work against the evil that robs the world of God’s love. Let our lifestyles and choices reflect the word of God and live a life that values people over things. Find an organization whose mission lines up with your heart, with God’s purpose for your life, and give generously!

2. If you can’t share resources, share your gift! Proverbs 18:16 says that a man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before a great man! Share that gift with the world! Don’t shrink back at a time when you should be bold with the gifts God has given you.

3. If you can’t share your resources, can’t share your gifts, if you just don’t know what to do, then pray. II Corinthians 12:9 says that my grace is sufficient, for his power is made perfect in weakness.

I’ll leave you with this final scripture from Job 33:6, “You and I are the same in God’s sight, both of us were formed from clay.” Friends, let us be bold enough to speak, let us have courage to act, and let us be willing to see and act on injustices to our brothers or sisters!