Street Justice
My heart is torn and perplexed with difficult thoughts today. I wonder what would happen if George Zimmerman or Trayvon Martin's family decided to pay my small town church this coming Sunday. How could I minister to their hurts, fears and sorrow... to their sense of loss? Then a harder question comes to mind...
What if they both showed up?
God's view of justice (I believe) is connected to reconciliation and forgiveness. This is what He offers us... if we have accepted that offer, then we must have the same viewpoint of the Father.
We can’t fix injustice with a Twitter barrage, a Facebook/blog/column post or even a sermon. All the Protests, demonstrations, and public rants combined may focus attention or even help force political/governmental change… but it can’t reconstruct injustice. Social outrage can point out causes out and name culprits, but it’s powerless to evoke legitimate change.
Only a heart change can do that.
Many in this country today are looking for street justice… I say, lets give it to them. Let’s take the Gospel message to the street, to our neighborhoods schools and workplaces. Let’s bring the heart of the Messiah Jesus into our communities and all the places our life touches. Through Christ change is possible, powerful transformation is His Good News that brings justice into reality.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8.
Until our hearts are totally consumed with love for God, we remain ineffective in producing what He has told us is good. To do, love and walk according to His heart depends on Him filling me with Himself… that takes my daily surrender. My goal is not fixing anything or anyone… it’s to please Him
So what do I, a 57 year-old, white dude, take to the street?
Not an agenda, not a political stance, not a sermon… only a heart that follows Him.
Comments
We've been studying Job lately. In the last chapter (42), Job is not restored until after he forgives and intercedes on behalf of his friends who had offended and accused him of wrong.
Restoration begins with forgiveness. We are not forgiven unless we too forgive.
Agendas dissolve into chaos. Politics? Sorry - I didn't mean to laugh, but you made a funny :) Sermons *may* change a heart short term, but only Christ can make that change permanent.
Good post, Jay!
I'm with you, Jay. Oh, for a Christ-like heart!!