Justice and Righteousness
There is a lot of talk today about justice and righteousness. God promises His blessing upon those who keep justice and do righteousness.(Psalm 106:3) That one fact alone should make us pay attention to how we decide and act on things. However, I have found that justice and righteousness are not simple cut and dried matters. It takes discernment to follow God's justice and righteousness in some cases. Let me give you some things to ponder and to pray about.
I believe our pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of American when it ways "liberty and justice for all." Therefore, if a person breaks the laws of this country they should be punished. That is justice. However, some people are oppressed in different ways, so some Christians advocate helping the oppressed in special ways. I believe that is correct and Biblical, but what about an oppressed person who is breaking the law? Do we excuse them because they are oppressed? I am not sure that is justice.
I think sometimes we confuse justice and mercy. We can be merciful to a person who is breaking the law, but that person still needs to conform to the law or be punished. Mercy does not do away with justice. We can't change what God says is righteous, just because we want to show mercy. Justice and righteousness are not relative. God is absolute, and He never changes His standards.
That is why I believe we have to act in justice and righteousness by following the whole counsel of God's Word, not by picking out certain passages we like or that we think are important now. Also, we can be merciful in how we apply the justice, while not throwing out the justice for mercy. We must ask God to give us His gift of discernment, so that we can see His way. Then, we need to act in His power and His love.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 107-110.
I believe our pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of American when it ways "liberty and justice for all." Therefore, if a person breaks the laws of this country they should be punished. That is justice. However, some people are oppressed in different ways, so some Christians advocate helping the oppressed in special ways. I believe that is correct and Biblical, but what about an oppressed person who is breaking the law? Do we excuse them because they are oppressed? I am not sure that is justice.
I think sometimes we confuse justice and mercy. We can be merciful to a person who is breaking the law, but that person still needs to conform to the law or be punished. Mercy does not do away with justice. We can't change what God says is righteous, just because we want to show mercy. Justice and righteousness are not relative. God is absolute, and He never changes His standards.
That is why I believe we have to act in justice and righteousness by following the whole counsel of God's Word, not by picking out certain passages we like or that we think are important now. Also, we can be merciful in how we apply the justice, while not throwing out the justice for mercy. We must ask God to give us His gift of discernment, so that we can see His way. Then, we need to act in His power and His love.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 107-110.