The Justice Distraction

 There are so many injustices in the world. I feel that each one pains God deeply, but what are we as Christians to do about it? What is our mandate? What is our role? I am grieved by how mean people can be to each other on social media about many a kind of topics. How do we find a way forward amidst all this chaos?

Yes: there is racism, past colonialism and current inequality, but how does Scripture respond to similar issues? Let's begin.

It is interesting to me that Paul never spoke against slavery. Instead, he encouraged slaves to obey their masters:

Colossians 3:22–4:1 (ESV)

Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

The justice circle, however, is completed where he encourages the masters to treat their slaves well as well.

Jesus knew to that He was primarily called "only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 15:24). For this reason, He did not initially want to minister to the Canaanite woman. He had a sense of where the Father called Him and where He was not called.

This theme is reiterated in Ezekiel:

Ezekiel 3:17–21 (ESV)

17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.

18 If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.

19 But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

20 Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood I will require at your hand.

21 But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul.”

Ezekiel followed God's voice. He was lead by the Spirit. He knew he was called to the house of Israel and that God personally would show him who to speak to and to warn. Thus a few questions: Are we lead by God's Spirit before we comment online? Are we truly called to call people to justice in the public sphere, or can we settle our disagreement in a private conversation?

My suggestion is that we take a step back... BUT WHY? May you ask.

I have personally had to face a lot of injustices in my life and I felt the Lord comfort me: There will one day be a Judgment... For every man and every woman. Christ Himself will call every person to accountability and reward righteousness and punish evil. This is scary, because I myself am not that perfect...

Jesus' attitude towards injustice is the best for me: He was judged and ridiculed and punished and crucified without fault. And He did not retaliate. What did He do? He prayed to the Father for His enemies: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34 (ESV). Jesus loved His enemies and interceded for them while He hung on that Cross.

Jesus had faith and trusted that the Father will show ultimate justice. 

Romans 12:19 (ESV)

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

It is time that we make the Enemy the real enemy.

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV):

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

We have NO enemies between ourselves. Satan desperately wants us to quarrel and fight to distract us from our heavenly calling. So, if we are NOT called to right injustice, what ARE we called to? 

Jesus Himself taught:

Matthew 5:43–44 (ESV):

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Luke 6:27–28 (ESV):

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

Let us love our enemies. Let us pray for their souls. Let us lead them to Christ.