LOVE AND JUSTICE ARE INSEPARABLE PARTNERS

 

A progressive Christian had written:

• “Many Christians love the thought of people justly getting what they deserve. To say this another way would be many Christians love the idea of hell. However, Jesus challenges us or gives us a better way by commanding us to love our enemies, to turn the other cheek, and to forgive those who trespass against us.

At the core of her challenge is the question, “Do the biblical teachings on love and non-retaliation preclude loving justice or can love also include a love and desire for justice?” Here are some considerations on this subject:

We can attend to love because God promises to bring justice:

• 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.” (Romans 12:19)

God is a righteous God who loves justice. We too should love what He loves:

• “And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.” (Luke 18:7-8)

• 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)

To not love justice is to hate our fellows.

Doers of justice are God’s ministers. Therefore, we should support them:

• Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God...for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:1, 4)

Jesus taught on the eternal judgment more than anyone. If He was not ashamed of hell, we shouldn’t be either:

• “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7:19)

Even the saints in heaven cried out for justice, and God was approving:

• They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.” (Revelation 6:10-11)

Common sense alone should inform us that love requires justice. When our institutions withhold justice and police are given stand-down orders, allowing rioters to destroy or bullies to bully, then it forces the innocent to take the law into their own hands – a great prescription for destruction and chaos. In love, then, did God ordain a criminal justice system:

·       Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,  or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. (1 Peter 2:13-14)

In light of these considerations, a Biblical faith needs to include the many teachings about the justice and righteousness of God. A faith that refuses to do this cannot please God. Nor will it be validated in our hearts and lives!