On the one hand, we are Bible believing Christians. On the other hand, we work for justice. But we don’t seem to have a good biblical basis for justice. Our concept of justice in JNU campus is influenced by the leftist political parties which see justice in the light of power struggle. We have the oppressed and the oppressor, and structures that are oppressive. So, when we work for justice, we argue for the underprivileged and dismantling the unjust structures. As Christians, to this we simply add compassion for the poor/underprivileged and other Christian virtues.
However, the biblical basis of justice and the call of the Christian to work for justice do not
primarily stem from a noble concern for the poor and the oppressed; but first of all, because we believe in a God who is just. A God who is just and merciful. A God who has mercy on us though his justice deserved us to be punished. A God who not only is just and merciful, but a God who loves us and redeems us back by paying the price for his justice through the sacrifice of his Son. A God who is in the process of - in N.T Wright’s words – ‘putting things to rights’.
1. Therefore as believers and servants of a just God, we reflect his justice to all creation. But we are simply servants/stewards, forgiven criminals who are called to proclaim God's justice (not our justice). That prevents us from taking matters into our own hands. The aim to overthrow the oppressive regimes can lead one to take things into one’s own hands without this realization. There is the danger to be puffed up with pride that we are champions of justice for the poor.
2. Because of Sin, all our works for justice will be incomplete and imperfect until we meet our saviour face to face. This explains the messy world we are in where complete justice is still elusive. This does not mean lowering of the biblical standard to achieve achievable level of justice, but a call for humility and refraining from instant realization of utopian dreams in a world stained with sin.
3. The Bible also says that we who work for justice will also have to sit on the judgment seat and give an account. To a Christian, the means is accountable as much as the ends we try to meet. The Bible does not justify justice through violence no matter what.
On the one hand, we are Bible believing Christians. On the other hand, we work for justice. But we don’t seem to have a good biblical basis for justice. Our concept of justice in JNU campus is influenced by the leftist political parties which see justice in the light of power struggle. We have the oppressed and the oppressor, and structures that are oppressive. So, when we work for justice, we argue for the underprivileged and dismantling the unjust structures. As Christians, to this we simply add compassion for the poor/underprivileged and other Christian virtues.
However, the biblical basis of justice and the call of the Christian to work for justice do not primarily stem from a noble concern for the poor and the oppressed; but first of all, because we believe in a God who is just. A God who is just and merciful. A God who has mercy on us though his justice deserved us to be punished. A God who not only is just and merciful, but a God who loves us and redeems us back by paying the price for his justice through the sacrifice of his Son. A God who is in the process of - in N.T Wright’s words – ‘putting things to rights’.
1. Therefore as believers and servants of a just God, we reflect his justice to all creation. But we are simply servants/stewards, forgiven criminals who are called to proclaim God's justice (not our justice). That prevents us from taking matters into our own hands. The aim to overthrow the oppressive regimes can lead one to take things into one’s own hands without this realization. There is the danger to be puffed up with pride that we are champions of justice for the poor.
2. Because of Sin, all our works for justice will be incomplete and imperfect until we meet our saviour face to face. This explains the messy world we are in where complete justice is still elusive. This does not mean lowering of the biblical standard to achieve achievable level of justice, but a call for humility and refraining from instant realization of utopian dreams in a world stained with sin.
3. The Bible also says that we who work for justice will also have to sit on the judgment seat and give an account. To a Christian, the means is accountable as much as the ends we try to meet. The Bible does not justify justice through violence no matter what.
Bro i agree to what you shared, but I disagree. GOD has called us to be his ambassador in this world. Yes, we try to boast about we bringing justice in this society.
ReplyDeleteBut as a follower of Christ, we should make sure that we humble ourselves and GLORIFY - Christ.It is possible ONLY when we abide in HIM!!!
The seemingly most humble act can be wrapped in pride. As far as i remember, the only instance where we can boast is in our participation in his suffering. Working for justice for the poor and the underprivileged isn't a similar situation because we are not the sufferers. Even Christians have the danger to be puffed up because of very noble deeds, that we are doing God a great favor, a champion of justice....
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