Friday, October 02, 2020

Cries of Injustice!

Pick up any newspaper or watch any news program and there are cries of injustice in the streets. Pictures and videos are prolific with calls for justice and cries of injustice in cities all across America. It seems to be in escapable because it’s in our social media feeds of unwanted ads and commentaries about how unjust our society is. Whether social unrest or political taking points through columns that never cease to rest, we are inundated with the constant message, “No Justice, No Peace.” Before you turn this article off and swipe to the next, you may be surprised to read that this is not just another in-your-face political bully pulpit commentary.

The message I have today is actually filled with hope. It is a message that has eternal value that can change lives and promote incredible goodwill. Today’s article is a message that it’s not only positive but it is timeless and it promotes neighborly love. My title is not an attempt to deceive and not intended to mislead you into another “fake news article. It is not a bait and switch trick. If you know me you will also know that I find authority, not of my own, but in the authority of the Word. My faith is grounded in God’s Word where I find hope and love in original form! I not only believe and story the Bible but I am also developing a relationship with the author of the Bible. 

Today I am reflecting and drawing parallel from the narrative of injustice that we read and see in the media today. The world is very hostile and injustice is crying out in our streets. Aside from the political aspects to these issues, I am humbled by the incredible need that there is on issues of injustice while at the same time challenged by the opportunities to offer hope and care for the least and the lost of society. 

I have encouraging words to share related to this and other hot-button issues. I know that the answer is not found entirely in political ways but can be found in Christ. I believe that we can be an advocate for those that have no voice (as referenced in Proverbs 31:8-9). I believe that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. I also know that protesting peacefully is not all together bad. I know that rioting and ranting loudly is not the answer! 

Yet, in spite of all of the social ills of our communities there is hope! I know that it is because of sin that we have injustice. The world is not fair. If you are breathing, you will see and likely be impacted personally by injustice. The inequities of life are not always solved through man-made remedies. We should promote justice but we need to also understand that there are solutions that exceed our human efforts. 

The Bible talks about injustice and the role that the follower of Jesus is to promote peace, love, and hope to those in need. We are called to love our neighbor. The golden tule originates from the Bible!

I find that God, through Jesus Christ, made the greatest sacrifice to bring eternal reparations to brokenness. In fact, the most unjust verse I can find is in Romans 5:8 that reads; “But God demonstrated His love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

This is freeing for me and many others who have discovered personally the tremendous blessing of having my sin forgiven and I am made right in the Lord. It tells me that while I was in sin and doing wrong, God paid the price for my sin. 

It seems like a terrible injustice that an innocent man (Christ) would love me, though I am unlovable and sinful. It is unfair for Him to give His life up for my sin! That is the injustice beyond compare! 

If I am found in His grace, forgiven and brought into faith through Christ, I should be grateful for His love endures forever! I don’t deserve it but in Christ I am transformed beyond believe and able to love my neighbor because of His love for me. 

The next time we read or see injustice, indeed we should respond; we cannot be silent. Yet, coming to the issue with an understanding that the problem is sin. Racial injustice or discrimination is not what the Bible (through Christ) promotes. However, we must understand that the problem is sin. The heart is wicked apart from the grace of God through Christ! 

How do we resolve this problem? How to seek reconciliation? Where does eternal live originate?

It is only through God’s Grace (not religious affiliation) that changed everything! We must be people who are humble and caring. We must be people who care for the least and list of our world; they are the real victims in the political quagmire!

Look up and see that the only hope we have for injustice is the grace of Jesus Christ. This grace produces a love for the human race! My friend once posted on Facebook (see image). She wrote that “we need to put more effort into winning the human race instead of the political race.”

Grace levels the playing field. Love triumph over injustice. Knowing verses in the Bible is one thing but knowing the author (God) is all together different! It is the Word of God that provides wisdom on how to understand the Will of God that comes through a personal relationship with the author of the greatest love letter (Bible). 

Concerned about injustice? We should be! Yet, beyond this is the incredible truth that at the foot of the cross, the ground is level. Grace is freely given to all through the message of salvation that gives hope to all. Indeed, this side of heaven we will need to advocate for love that is eternal and truth That never returns void.