Recently, I became aware of the polarization of the word justice, more specifically, the term social justice. I was stunned. Spending time listening, reading Scripture regarding justice and observing people, there are cries for justice.

What I’ve found is that many link Justice to a pay-back… an eye for an eye kind of thing. 

Some see social justice as abrasive and view it from a place of not ever having been treated unjustly. They never experienced racism, poverty, sexism or other things where equal rights were not met. It can hold some people back from understanding social justice. What people may fear in social justice is that there may be some sort of painful payback or that those shouting for social justice in some cases may be shouting with anger and hate or an inequality in another way. There are also some calling for social justice without truth.

Is it right to be angry about injustice? Yes. 

Is it right to hate? It is not right to hate people. It is right to hate evil. 

What overcomes this is love and humility, serving one another. One does not think of themselves more than another or indulge themselves at the disadvantage of someone else. 

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 

The ultimate example of being just in judgment while showing love is exactly what Yeshua did on the cross. He is holy. Pure. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Every color of skin is also every color of soil. Dust of the earth. In His judgment, according to the Law of the Old Testament, sin had to be atoned for or paid back. It was a blood sacrifice; a death. Tribes and people all over the world have felt that within themselves that blood and sometimes death was a sacrifice for wrong or to appease anger or wrath.

But, in that part of His judgment for the opportunity for forgiveness, He gave Himself. Fully. Judgment took place that was just in the way of death because of sin, but this justice was filled with mercy. He paid the price for our sin. Through it, He has given us the atonement for our wrong and peace through Christ Jesus with a new life. 

Discussing this notion, one person shared,

“Biblical justice asks us to seek what is right in all areas of life.  Both for ourselves and others.  However, mercy asks us to forgive the offense, or withhold judgment, even when the situation demands it.  This applies to all people in our lives and most importantly even unto ourselves. Social justice lacks the truth of God’s written word.  Truth of what actually is an offense and how this offense should be remedied are both embodied in Scripture.  No matter who we are and no matter what the offense.  Perhaps the answer is to walk in truth and be as quick to forgive as to judge.” 

Biblical justice is loving one another, righting wrongs, forgiving, and restoration. We help one another to be who we are humbly created to be, someone created in His image. 

There will never be peace where good and evil exist in the same place. 

Walking the path of justice is one for good, love, and honor to stop the path of evil. 

Where that line is drawn will come with opposition. 

The torment within our own heart is unrest until we give up the things that we know are wrong. Letting the love and forgiveness of our Savior in to help us be restored more and more into His image brings peace. 

Justice is fair, honest, good and honoring. It is given with respect for another. It corrects the wrongs and makes amends. It isn’t the eye for an eye any longer. We were given the example of what justice looks like on the cross through a merciful judge’s love. Make it right, but do it with love. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NASB Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Don’t we all long for that? Don’t most of us want to do better after we’ve done wrong and have been forgiven? For most who have been the ones wronged, we want to hear an, “I’m sorry,” and we want to see some sort of change to correct that wrong. There are those who do not have a voice that is heard when it comes to injustice. Here is where we are called.

Isiah 1:17 ESV Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. 

Romans 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the LORD.” 

Psalm 37:27-29 Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.

Isaiah 61:8  For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 

Proverbs 28:5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely. 

Yahweh blesses those who behave justly and gives recompense back to those who were wronged. He will make good with His goodness. This is where one can trust Him to be the one to ultimately bring about what is just. 

Let’s pray that we will see justice through Yahweh’s eyes and align our heart with His truth of who He is, remaining humble while loving Him and one another. Praying that He will give us courage to stand. 

“A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right and evil doesn’t become good just because it’s accepted by a majority.”

Booker T.Washington