For the Love of Justice
“So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” - Hosea 12:6
Over my undergraduate career studying theology, close peers have come to recognize two distinct features of my participation in class discussion: firstly, the evident presence of social justice in the unified story of the Bible and secondly, the importance of Christians learning how to speak and to live in a Christlike manner alongside those that are distinctly unlike them.
These qualities take utmost precedence in my life, not because I am an expert at fulfilling them, but because it is a strong conviction of mine that God’s heart lies with the oppressed, the orphan, the widow, and the poor. Though I am not always the best representative of God’s justice, I nevertheless endeavor to see His justice realized in the world today.
Where We Come From
Pictured above: “Justice and Divine Vengeance Pursuing Crime” by Pierre-Paul Prud’hon
We often wonder how the world arrived in its current state with all its evil and injustice. It doesn’t take long to see injustices in our own society along with the societies of the world: inequality of wealth, ecological destruction, several wars and invasions, political and religious extremism, and oppression of the poor are only some of the examples of the havoc that we have caused on the earth. As the poet Tennyson observes, “Nature is red in tooth and claw.”
The ancient prophet Isaiah also gives a poem regarding the injustices of his day:
“Justice is turned back,
and righteousness stands at a distance;
for truth stumbles in the public square,
and uprightness cannot enter…
The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice…
…and appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm brought him victory.”Isaiah 59:14,16
In the interpretation of ancient biblical texts, the scholar Christopher Wright tells of ‘three horizons’: first, the writing relayed bears particular precedence in the context in which it was written; second, the writing bears significance in the world we inhabit today; third, the writing will ultimately find its summation in the world to come.
Applying this rule of interpretation to the previously mentioned Scripture tells us that in days past, injustice was a plague in which God towers against…but it also tells us that God finds His victory in the prevailing of justice in our day.
Where We Are Now
For as long as our search for justice is removed from Christlike mercy, we will continue to strive for violent vengeance against injustice: thus perpetuating a self-punishing cycle. To break this cycle that we have found ourselves in for too long now, we are asked by Jesus Christ to extend love and blessing towards those who curse us (Luke 6:27-28). One of Jesus’ most well-known commands is to “love our enemies”, yet it is also one of the first forgotten. How far can we take the long-suffering strength of forgiveness against our struggle against systemic sin? I pray to the ends of the earth.
So how does one take this Christian ethic into a post-Christian world? As always, Scripture gives guidance for that as well: “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Who is your enemy? Hold them in your mind now, in all your hatred and fury, and wish them well.
The politician of an opposing party that doesn’t seem to know up from down? Bless them.
The street preacher that is the complete antithesis of “if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all”? Bless them. Try to find room for conversation if you can.
Is your particular enemy the Pride Month gay rights advocates? Bless them.
Or maybe your enemy is the belligerent homophobe. Bless them too.
My point is, we have a responsibility to open inroads of reconciliation on which we can heal together. The victory of justice means the ultimate revealing of love in the world, established by Christ.
A Final Note
Forgiveness and reconciliation is a difficult endeavor. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult ventures that a human could embark on. In a world reeking of wars, murders, and abuses of many kinds, it is natural to harbor hatred against those who perpetuate such violence. This anger, mingled with grief, is familiar to God as well, who promises vengeance and in days past has delivered such vengeance. He promises a defeat of evil in the finality of His vengeance.
Do what you must to grieve. The book of Psalms is full of cursing prayers, use them if you will. Talk to a trusted friend. Involve yourself in activism. And, when you’re ready, take the first step on that path to forgiveness.
But, please, for the good of the world, do not forget forgiveness.