Justice, Injustice, and Mercy
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hist will do this. – Isaiah 9:7
I have struggled with justice. There is an inner self-righteousness that screams for justice. I often see things that are not fair and I have many things that happen to me that are just not fair. I feel like I deserve this or that person deserves that. The moment I think those words, I realize the depth of entitlement that has taken a root in my life.
Do I really want justice? Humility proceeds justice. We must consider whether we really want cosmic justice. When I think about my life, I become less certain I want justice for my actions. Sure, I have done plenty of good things, but...there are other things I am not so proud of.
I am not sure we can separate justice from forgiveness. Forgiveness is the entry point into the Kingdom, and it is an injustice for the follower of Christ to not offer forgiveness (Matt 6:15). So maybe the injustice in the Kingdom of Heaven is a loss of humility that comes from taking God’s grace for granted. We start to become forgiveness entitled people.
Is that not the justice God demanded of the Hebrew people? They were chosen by God’s grace, and God finds it offensive when they do not offer that same grace to others. Loving God and loving others are intertwined realities. That is the standard for His people today. Justice is giving the same love and forgiveness we have been given.
Who do you need to forgive? What must happen for you to walk in forgiveness towards them? Think deeply about the role of justice in your spiritual life.
on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hist will do this. – Isaiah 9:7
I have struggled with justice. There is an inner self-righteousness that screams for justice. I often see things that are not fair and I have many things that happen to me that are just not fair. I feel like I deserve this or that person deserves that. The moment I think those words, I realize the depth of entitlement that has taken a root in my life.
Do I really want justice? Humility proceeds justice. We must consider whether we really want cosmic justice. When I think about my life, I become less certain I want justice for my actions. Sure, I have done plenty of good things, but...there are other things I am not so proud of.
I am not sure we can separate justice from forgiveness. Forgiveness is the entry point into the Kingdom, and it is an injustice for the follower of Christ to not offer forgiveness (Matt 6:15). So maybe the injustice in the Kingdom of Heaven is a loss of humility that comes from taking God’s grace for granted. We start to become forgiveness entitled people.
Is that not the justice God demanded of the Hebrew people? They were chosen by God’s grace, and God finds it offensive when they do not offer that same grace to others. Loving God and loving others are intertwined realities. That is the standard for His people today. Justice is giving the same love and forgiveness we have been given.
Who do you need to forgive? What must happen for you to walk in forgiveness towards them? Think deeply about the role of justice in your spiritual life.
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