Justice and Peace
Picture from Associated Press article, Louisville.
We live just a couple of blocks off the main drag of our little PA town. Sunday afternoon, sitting on our porch, we could hear protesters chanting, “No justice, no peace” and “Black Lives Matter.”
Because I had been reading the news of the completely un-peaceful protests, commonly known as riots, across the nation, it made me a little nervous about what might happen. By the grace of God, this one remained peaceful. A large group of people kept their heads and made a point that needed to be made.
With certainty I can say that black people are not treated the same way as white people by the police in our nation. I am sure this is true of more than police. I am also sure that it is not every police officer.
Justice is required but, in our nation, justice is often defined and/or dispensed as vengeance. The two are very different. We can demand justice but we must trust the Lord for vengeance.
When we take justice into our own hands we pervert it. God says, “You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality..” (Deuteronomy 16:19a).
God does not look at the color of our skin, He looks at the heart. He looks for faith that will sustain us through acts of injustice because we trust Him to make it right. This doesn’t mean we don’t speak out against the wrongs that are done, we must educate others about the Law of God. His Word is what is going to change the way this nation responds to injustice.
This education will not happen in acts of rioting, warfare, or revolution. This is going to happen as Christians make public and private stands for God’s Word, His Law as He has given it to us for our (personal and national) good, and His glory! His Spirit will use that Word to bring understanding to others.
Are we willing to say that George Floyd’s death was an abomination to God? It is! Are we willing to stand against ungodly acts of evil and say rioting is not the answer? Revenge is only going to bring the wrath of God. He is clear that vengeance belongs to Him and He is more than capable of executing justice. If you are uncertain of this, please go read what happened to Haman in the book of Esther (Esther 3-7).
So, Christians, what are we to do as we respond to the current outcry for justice in our nation?
We all know that true change only happens with a true change of heart. Share the gospel but don’t say that “God loves everyone.” The truth is that God hates the evil doer (Psalm 5:5) so we need to say that. He is not pleased by the death of George Floyd or any other innocent man that has been hurt or killed by the actions of a policeman. Their killers face the wrath of God.
Tell people about the righteous vengeance that God promises and how trustworthy He is to complete that job. Tell them about His hatred for the shedding of innocent blood (which includes babies in the womb [Deuteronomy 19:13]) and His love and faithfulness toward those who trust Him (Psalm 115:11).
We are quick to fear angry people and just avoid any conversation. This is not a time for shy Christianity (not that there ever is!). This is a time to step up and point to the God Who is as His Word tells us He is – not as the world has decided He is.
There is no other god (or man) capable of providing peace and justice for our nation except the One True God. He wants things done His way.
Are we willing to proclaim His ways?
Very well said. I also would say where is the cry for justice for the people who now have lost homes and businesses. What happened to George Floyd was awful and needs justice, where is the cry for justice for all the babies that are aborted and the women and children exploited in trafficking. All lives are important and are loved by God. Only by trusting in Him can their be a healing of our land. Thanks for your articles. May are hearts be full of compassion for all people during this time.
Amen, Carla! I agree! I was actually thinking all the people who have destroyed property are also facing the wrath of God while those who have lost life and property we should be praying for His mercy and His blessings to be poured out on them.
Thanks for this response!
Good points Beth. We, the Church, collectively, have been silent too long. We have known (if we are being honest) that being Black in America is different than being White, that Blacks, too often, are short changed in comparison to Whites, but for most of us we felt unaffected, so we didn’t demand change. Shame on us.
While we all need to do more to share the truth and hope of the Gospel, I hope we all will do more to echo Amos’s call for Justice to roll down like a river and righteousness like an ever flowing stream (Amos 5:24).
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Ken. One of the things I hope people can understand is that the Gospel calls for justice. Christ’s death was the justice for all our sin. God is clear about the consequences of the shedding of innocent blood. We need His mercy!
Thanks for commenting.