Justice is...

This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.

Zechariah 7:9-10

True justice begins with mercy and compassion. That is why the center of our faith is the redemptive work of Christ upon the cross. In that, the ultimate act of mercy and compassion, true justice was dealt for all of mankind. 

Unless we understand our own incredible need for the mercy and compassion of God in Christ we will look judgmentally down upon those less fortunate than us. The problem with the idea of karma is that people get what they deserve and that's the end of the story. Many Christians get that way with "you reap what you sow" and forget about mercy and compassion. They forget that all have fallen short of the glory of God. None is righteous, no not one. 

So what's the point today? Be merciful and compassionate when seeking justice. When you see that oppressed see them through the eyes of someone who needs God's mercy and compassion. My grandmother used to say (when she saw someone less fortunate than her), "There, but by the grace of God, go I." 

There is no arguing with a fool

Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times,
   for the times are evil. 
Seek good, not evil, that you may live.
Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you,
   just as you say he is.
Hate evil, love good;
   maintain justice in the courts.
Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy 
   on the remnant of Joseph.
Amos 5:13-15 (NIV)

There's no arguing with a fool. Sometimes you just have to wait things out before it's time to speak or act. A friend of mine once said that people aren't ready to hear something until they're ready to hear it. Love good, do the right thing and hate evil. Be prudent about your words.

YOU TRUST AND GOD DOES: Psalm 37:5-6

"Commit your way to the LORD;
     trust in him and he will do this:
 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
     the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." 
 Psalm 37:5-6

Commit. In the dictionary it says, "To give in trust or charge; consign." The Hebrew means "to roll, roll away, roll down, roll together. " The idea is to roll something up to give it up. Think of your life on a paper, all the pieces gathered together. You roll it up and give it to the LORD. Then you let him do, what he wants to do.

Letting God do what he wants to do is one facet of trust. What does God want to do? He wants your righteousness, which is in Christ, to shine like the dawn. Think of that. The sun coming up out of the darkness. Isn't that what we are? The light of Christ in the darkness of this world. Living for Christ, is living for justice. He will make your cause shine like the noonday son. 

I think that is a pretty good deal. We roll up our lives, give them to God, and he makes them worthwhile and meaningful. When his kingdom comes into a hearts, his kingdom is lived out through our lives.

Father, thank you that we can give everything to you, the good and the bad, and trust in you to make us righteous people in this unjust world. Praise be to you in us today!