Fiat justitia ruat caelum — An ancient Latin phrase meaning, “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.” We live in an imperfect world—no surprise there. So, let’s pass some laws to make it fair. Ha! People are not fair, ethical, or moral because of laws. You cannot legislate morality because that is an issue of heart, but you can legislate justice by passing laws that demand people to be treated with equality and dignity. If our desire is to promote liberty, it requires us to be diligent in the cause of freedom and justice. My blog today is to make a plea for each of us to renew our commitment to the godly principles of justice and love for God’s creation in each of us.
People become moral and ethical when their hearts change. Who can change hearts and how can we facilitate a change of heart?
We will never achieve a perfect world. That is for the return of the perfect King Jesus. But until then, we, as believers, are given the privilege to do the work of the Kingdom. The cause of justice is an ancient cause and no less relevant for today. For whom should we seek justice? Here are just a few things God has said about the cause of justice (emphasis added):
- He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing (Deut. 10:18).
- ‘Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow’ (Deut. 27:19a).
- Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow (Isaiah 1:17).
- Who executes justice for the oppressed; Who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free (Psalm 146:7).
- Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute (Psalm 82:3).
- I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted And justice for the poor (Psalm 140:12).
Why is God so interested in justice? We must understand the difference between justice and vengeance. So often they are confused with mob mentality. Justice is moral rightness, doing what is right. Vengeance is “getting even,” exacting punishment, usually violent, for a wrong perceived or done. God is interested in righteousness, doing the right thing on behalf of others.
For whom does the Lord seek justice through the hands of humanity? To the oppressed, the widow, the orphan, the alien, the weak, the fatherless, the prisoner, the poor, the disenfranchised. When we examine the ministry of Jesus, to whom do we see Jesus extending mercy, love, provision, and healing? It is repeatedly to the sick, the poor, the widow, the marginalized, the rejected, and the oppressed. Jesus quoted His mission from the prophecy in Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed,” (Luke 4:18).
Jesus met lepers more than once and healed them out of a heart of compassion. These were outcasts because of their disease. They were the untouchables of society, yet Jesus touched them. Who are the untouchables in our society? The homeless? The diseased with cancers, alzeimers, mental disorders, or AIDs? Are we touching them with compassion and healing?
Jesus encountered a widow whose only son had died. He was the widow’s only source of support. Jesus raised him from the dead. Scripture tells us, “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:27). What is our part in keeping this word? Even if we are unable to go, we can support missions and outreaches that care for orphans and women in distress.
Jesus watched as a widow gave two copper coins in the offering, all that she had. “Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury” (Mark 12:43). I would say most of us are not wealthy by the world’s standards and so we may think that our little bit does not count for much. Large contributions are great, but a little by many can do much as well. One person giving $1000 is the same as 100 people each giving $10, and New Jersey is not short on people. Some can do a lot and some a little, but everyone can do something.
The mercy and compassion of Jesus extended to the defiled and marginalized. He rescued the woman caught in adultery by a few words written in the dirt. We don’t know what those words were. Could they have been the sins of the accusers? It certainly had an impact on the watchers and those ready to hurl rocks at her.
Another time Jesus spoke with a Samaritan woman drawing water from a well. Religious leaders would have nothing to do with her. According to common Jewish customs, she had three strikes against her. 1. Being a woman—religious leaders did not have conversations with women. 2. Being a Samaritan—a mixed people alienated by the ruling class of that time. 3. Being a fallen woman—she had five husbands (we don’t know if they were legitimate or not), but the one with whom she was cohabiting was not a husband. Yet Jesus took the time to give this rejected and marginalized woman the good news of the gospel. Are we giving the good news to the alienated, the marginalized, the rejected because they may not be socially acceptable? Do we withhold the gospel and mercy from those of a different belief like Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, or atheists because it is uncomfortable?
God’s perspective is clear and plain. “To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice (Proverbs 21:3).” The cause of justice is God’s chosen fast. “Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6). Why? God’s kingdom has its foundation in righteousness and justice. Psalm 97:2 says, “Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.”
Furthermore, because God is a giver beyond our concept of giving, He declares, “How blessed are those who keep justice, Who practice righteousness at all times!” (Psalm 106:3). When we actively engage in the works of justice, we are blessed. It is not a hardship to those who love the Lord. Proverbs 21:15 says, “The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.” It is a terror to the wicked because “Evil men do not understand justice, But those who seek the Lord understand all things” (Proverbs 28:5).
My challenge to you today is to follow the course of justice. Let us take the faith of our fathers, true Christianity, to those who are suffering. Join the work of ministry that furthers the cause of justice, whether it be ministry to the homeless, to the prisoner, to abused and abandoned women and children, to those trafficked, to the depressed and alienated, to the disabled. The list of human suffering is a very long list. Each of us can find a place where our lives will make a difference to someone—each one, help one. We don’t have to look very far. Simply start with the one. The one God puts before you—each one, help one.
If you love God, the suffering and need of others will move you. We can do no less with the gifts and callings God has for each of us. It means giving of your time, talents, substance and even your wallet with joy and gladness of heart. It means involvement in your community’s issues to better the lives of its residents. It means finding out the legal and political issues and positions of local and national candidates so that we can vote out of conscience, not only popularity. It means volunteering your time and energy in the outreaches of your church and community. It’s not complicated. Let us all commit to a change of heart for the sake of justice to glorify the King of Kings. Simply hear and obey. Each one, help one.
Copyright 2016 by Eva Benevento
All rights reserved.