JUSTICE

Proverbs 18:5—It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice.

Tragedy has a way of releasing the inner ideologies of people that normally would go unstated. After terrorists leveled New York’s Twin Towers and struck the Pentagon, we hear many voices emerging. One voice cries: “Revenge!” It acknowledges the pain of being wounded and seethes with anger. “Blow away the enemy! Make sure he never strikes us again.”

There are many problems with advocating revenge. First, it is based in pride—I’m going to take action in my power to fix the problem. God hates pride. The Apostle Paul wrote: Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is Mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord” (Romans 12:19). Second, it easily becomes misguided because its main purpose is to satiate personal injury. Stirred by a bitter brew, many will needlessly suffer. Rather than wait until the terrorists are punished, anyone who looks like an Arab is targeted. It is as ignorant to lump all Muslims with extremists as it is to depict Christians as Ku Klux Klansmen. Third, revenge begs the question, “when is enough, enough!”

Another voice passionately rises from the chair of contemplation. Palms extend outward symbolizing the need for tolerance. “Don’t let anymore people die! We must exhaust all means aside from force to achieve peace.” Those who refuse the application of force cite Paul’s admonition not to take revenge as well as Jesus’ words: “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39). The case for mercy seems strong.

Yet, the voice of tolerance also is problematic. First, in my opinion, pacifists have taken Mat. 5:39 out of context. They use a verse that Jesus applies to the individual who would follow Him and make it into a formula for national policy. Jesus clearly teaches that the reason we are to endure persecution, insult and injury is connected to our love for Him. Likewise while Paul admonishes us not to repay evil with evil, he further teaches us in Rom. 13:1-3 that we are to submit to our governing authorities. Implied in this instruction is the centrality of the law.

The law remains in effect (because of man’s sinful condition—see Mat.5:17). Our authorities prescribe upholding the law through punishing by necessary force, those who engage in evil actions. Tolerance that excludes amercing wickedness invites anarchy! Proponents of nonviolence damage the real meaning of godly love by divorcing behavior from consequences! Consider that God in His mercy for us as sinners still exacted punishment for our sins by allowing His Son to brutally die on a cross for us. Our loving God does not ignore sin. From His justness comes forth justice.

Thankfully, there are voices calling for justice—upholding what is morally right and valid according to the law. Until Jesus returns and establishes His universally effective authority, each nation’s rulers govern according to laws established for self-preservation. Therefore, if a country is attacked and its innocent people are murdered, that country is morally obligated to defend its citizens using the appropriate force necessary to punish the true enemy and keep him from committing further atrocities.

We are not a Christian nation. If we were, we could all willingly lay down our lives before terrorist attacks knowing we would all go to heaven. We could nationally proclaim, “We love you Osama! For us to live is Christ to die is gain!” We are a secular nation that contains Christians. We need justice to preserve moral living and accountability. “We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers . . ." (1 Timothy 1:9,10). Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God” (Rom. 3:19). We need justice to honor the Judge in Whom we have placed our faith! “The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love”(Psalm 33:5). May God help us to act in accordance with His just will!

Inspiration

Children are innocent and love justice, while most adults are wicked and prefer mercy.—G. K. Chesterton

Where might is master, justice is servant.—German proverb