Our Justice isn't God's

Our Justice isn't God's
by David Brenneman

"Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.  Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.  “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:16-21.

"Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,  and do not give the devil an opportunity." Ephesians 4:26-27.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’  But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.  Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.  Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you." Matthew 5:38-42.

People today believe that justice is owed, that it should be in such a way that there's a sense of overwhelming satisfaction to the person or people demanding it.  Oftentimes at such a cost to whomever the offendee is that the repercussions go on for months, days or even years.

The problem with knee-jerk reactions is the consequences that have never entered the minds of those attempting to exact their form of justice.

The Bible, as we read in part going into this post, teaches quite a different way.

"But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell." Matthew 5:22.

Our reactions in life as Believers shouldn't follow the world but rather as Christ-followers we are to mirror Christ.

There's evidence a plenty on various perceived outcomes when mercy is presented rather than retribution.  Some see hearts that implode and finally come to Christ for salvation, others don't see any changes at all.  Maybe not in that moment or ever.  However the Bible teaches that the Word of God never returns void.  That person upon whom mercy was bestowed might not be whom needed to see what mercy was but someone else nearby.  Ours isn't to doubt results when we don't know how far reaching the obedience we have in Christ is going to go.

We are never to determine who is or isn't worthy of forgiveness or who is or isn't worthy of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Those are the aspects of not judging that are not to be found in the hearts and minds of Believers.

Jesus also spoke to how many times we should forgive someone.  7 times? No, 70 times 7.  As many times as a person comes to us asking for forgiveness. 

How many times in our own lives have we repeatedly gone to Jesus asking for mercy and forgiveness for the same thing we keep doing over and over?  What if indeed Jesus didn't say that about forgiveness?  Perhaps most all of mankind would have been dead and gone by now as a result.

The best way to not let the sun go down on your anger is to take the situation to Jesus to deal with.  Get it out of your mind out of your hands. 

We all cannot ever consider every ramification of our thoughts on justice.  We have no capacity to understand every single outcome of our notions on what is the right thing to do in the heat of the moment when our anger burns brightest.

Jesus sees all, knows all, and always does what is right in the sight of His Father’s will.  Jesus will work out everything in accordance with His plans for both the individual and the plans of God for mankind.

In Proverbs 11:14 we read: "Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.".

Seek other Believers who are solid in the faith.  Pray for those who persecute you as the Bible says that you are to do.

You cannot pray with hope and maintain an angry disposition for very long.

I am not angry at those who have done to me what they did.  They foolishly believe they did what they did for their reasons.  I know what the Bible says.  God sets up rulers and He removes them.  My days are all in His hands.  My heart and theirs is laid bare before Him with whom we have to do.  He searches the hearts.  Jesus says to back off and do nothing then that's what I do.  In other sort of recent events Jesus said to not speak to those raging against us because He will deal with them.  So we remained silent and indeed Jesus is dealing with them.

We do not need instant justice.
We do not need to have our rights to anything ahead of a lost soul coming to Christ for salvation.

Jesus died for all people past, present and future.  Regardless of how evil they are, were or will be.  Even the Stalin's, Hitler's, Judas's and every generational Antichrist who has lived.  Including all those who are against each and every single Believer.

Pray for those who persecute you.

You may be the person who's prayers are what turns the tide in their lives and they find themselves giving in to their need to be saved.

You may be a seed planter.
You may be a person weeding the ground.
You may be a person watering a seed that's been there a while.

The Spirit causes the growth.

Remember that. 

Remember that we are not here for health, wealth and prosperity.  We are here, growing in Christ with respect to our salvation.  We are here as workers in His fields.  We aren't going to always have it all joy all the time.  Someone said Christians are only here camping and their real home is elsewhere in Heaven.

In His time, not ours, God always deals with those who come after His children.  In His way not ours, to His glory not ours.  He STILL isn't willing that any should perish but that all might be saved.   That is why you are to pray without ceasing for those who persecute you as well as everything else that comes to mind.

All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.  
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
www.lockman.org