Session 5 – Sometimes
Justice does = fairness
We’ve talked about all week
that we are given the opportunity to give Grace when others call for vengeance,
but is there ever a time for Justice on this Earth? When fairness does matter
and we should fight for it?
The Bible addresses justice
in terms of fairness from the vantage point of our own walk, but not us
applying it to the walk of others. So when we seek fairness, it should be in
ourselves. We can give fairness as a gift to others. This sets us apart and is
a work of the Holy Spirit and Faith in us.
Read Luke 12:57-58, Jesus
tells the Pharisees…
“And why do you not judge for yourselves what is
right? As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort
to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge
hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison.”
Jesus tells us that he
trusts us to make a good case for ourselves and for our relationships. He
encourages us that we are capable. It reminds me of parenting with high
expectations. It’s encouraging to know that our God believes us capable of
judging what is right and just and fair. He has fully equipped us!
Again, the Bible encourages
Masters (or we’ll go with Bosses in our current context) to be just, or fair in
Colossians 4:1…
“Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing
that you also have a Master in heaven.”
Oh! Titus 1:8 pops up again….
“For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be
arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy
for gain, but
hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and
disciplined.”
We saw that verse last week when we were talking
about an overseer, or someone who is a leader being honorable (semna). The word
for upright in the ESV has that same root we’ve seen all week – diakos. A
Christian leader is exhorted to lead with justice, with fairness.
And lastly, Ephesians 6:1, exhorts the youngest
followers….
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this
is right.”
God doesn’t leave us in the lurch when seeking answers for
our daily lives. He gives us bread for each day, wisdom for each situation,
grace for each moment. We can not control other people and how they handle
issues of justice or fairness, but we certainly can pray and ask God to work in
us. We can be people who look different. Who administer fair in an unfair
world.
Thank you, Father! You are full of so many good things. Help
Justice to reign in our lives. Help us to live in Justice/Grace Living, through
Your Spirit. We thank and praise You for all that You are, all that You have
done, and all You continue to do. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
