According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of justice is "the quality of being just, impartial, or fair." Injustice is defined as "absence of justice, violation of right or of the rights of another, unfairness."
There are numerous references to justice throughout the Bible - -
You are a God of justice. (Isaiah 26:7)
Evil people don't understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand it completely. (Proverbs 28:5)
For I, the Lord, love justice. (Isaiah 61:8)
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. (Proverbs 31:8-9)
He is the one who . . . gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts the burdens of those bent beneath their loads. The Lord loves the righteous. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. " (Psalm 146:6-9)
This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent. (Jeremiah 22:3)
The kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them and do not hide from relatives who need your help. (Isaiah 58:6-7)
It's easy to speak out against injustice, but how do you SEEK justice?
Here are the verbs/commands from the verses above. For me, this is a place to start:
- Speak up!
- Treat everyone fairly
- Open eyes of the blind (share knowledge)
- Share food
- Give clothes
- Lift burdens
- Rescue the oppressed
- free the wrongly imprisoned
- protect foreigners
- Welcome poor wanderers
- Care for orphans and widows
I believe many Christians have gotten stuck on the pursuing justice for the unborn, and while that is important, the commands in the verses above are directed at the already born.
A government OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people, we should advocate for the well-being of all people. It is important to pursue justice in the areas of law, families, healthcare, and taking care of the poor.
But what can we do as individuals? Here is the list I have come up with as a start - I welcome any and all additional ideas!
- Be a voice for those who can't speak, or who are afraid to speak, or who aren't being heard (or listened to).
- Share food and be welcoming - make a point to invite people to eat - either at your house or at a restaurant. If you see someone who needs food, offer to take them to get some. I've seen really great ideas for blessing bags to keep in your car to give to those people requesting money or food.
- Give clothes - Look for people who have a need in this area that you can fill - maybe it's a young woman with a baby (FYI - diapers count as clothes for an infant and are MUCH needed!), a family who lost everything in a disaster, or someone you know that just doesn't have a coat in the winter.
- Lift burdens - this one is easy. See someone with their hands full? Open the door for them. See someone struggling? Ask if you can help them. The problem with doing this is that we are generally so focused on our own lives that we don't notice the burdens (literal or figurative) that other people might be carrying. I'm actively praying that God will open my eyes to the needs around me.
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