Matters of Faith: Seek Justice!

Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)
“29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Yes, I know that you were hurt, and no, apologies can’t eliminate or even reduce the pain. I know that it seems that there is nothing that can be said to make sense of what was done to you and how it made you feel. I know that it appears those feelings will be with you for the rest of your life. And I know that you have every right to want justice for the wrong that was done to you. But as I listen to the words used for justice, I find myself wondering if what’s being asked for is revenge?

Revenge is defined as retaliation, payback, vengeance reprisal and retribution. But justice means fairness, impartiality, righteousness, reasonableness, and evenhandedness. Justice makes room for forgiveness; revenge does not.

Do you remember what Paul told the church in Rome about vengeance? He wrote, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)

Carefully note that justice and revenge are not the same. They are antonyms of each other. In other words, they are polar opposites. While I completely understand why you feel the way you feel and the reason behind your position, I am bound as a minister of the Gospel to share with you a better way, the right way to deal with your emotions. Paul spells out the right way in his letter to the church at Ephesus.

In the text, we see that forgiving others results in forgiveness being returned. Even in the model prayer that Jesus taught His disciples, forgiveness is sought, then extended to others. It’s right there in Matthew 6:12,“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Then, in verse 14, the reciprocating nature of forgiveness is revealed; ”For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

What would our world look like if we really sought justice, if we actually allowed only wholesome talk to come out of our mouths, only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, and words that benefit those who listen? What would our world look like if we did not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, and got rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice? What would our world look like if we were genuinely kind and compassionate to one another; if we actually forgive each other, just as in Christ God forgave us?

What would our world look like if we truly sought justice?

Be Blessed +++

Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial &. Strategic Consulting, and hosts “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Soul 1 Radio, Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM. Listen by phone” at 626-226-1448. Be sure to Friend “Matters of Faith” on Facebook and email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The Book at Book Blues.

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