Post by foxjj on Jun 4, 2020 16:11:03 GMT
What Hope Of Justice?
Micah 6:8 speaks of God’s expectations concerning justice: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” However, the pages of history are filled with the records of social injustice. It matters not of which nation we were born, there will be a history of social injustice, be it racial or religious. The results bring much misery sometimes even rebellion, of which in turn leads to bloodshed. History also records the valiant efforts of men and woman who strive to bring an end to social injustice. Needless to say the struggle is still going on today. So why is there no overall justice for all men and women in our world? An explanation is found in Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
If the human heart is in such a condition, what hope do we have of any lasting justice in this world? The answer is a changed heart, which infers a person’s need to be reborn. Jesus spoke of this in John 3:6-7 saying: “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’” The spiritual rebirth comes about when you and I acknowledge that we are in need of Saving from our sinful ways. In turn, we acknowledge Jesus as the one who Saves because of His Atoning Sacrifice, as Paul wrote: “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)
When we have had the born again experience, our hearts have been changed. Now we can understand the teaching Jesus gave concerning social justice: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
(Luke 10:30-37)
We who are forgiven and born again, have entered into a personal relationship with The Living Lord. The natural response to our new life is to share The Gospel, encouraging others to also seek this new life. Reaching out with love, we do not see any social or racial barriers because, the Gospel message is for all - bringing hope. Just as Jesus reached out to all, we in turn heed His command: “Go and do likewise.”
Today, let us remember our social responsibility’s as followers of Jesus.
John Joseph Fox.
Micah 6:8 speaks of God’s expectations concerning justice: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” However, the pages of history are filled with the records of social injustice. It matters not of which nation we were born, there will be a history of social injustice, be it racial or religious. The results bring much misery sometimes even rebellion, of which in turn leads to bloodshed. History also records the valiant efforts of men and woman who strive to bring an end to social injustice. Needless to say the struggle is still going on today. So why is there no overall justice for all men and women in our world? An explanation is found in Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
If the human heart is in such a condition, what hope do we have of any lasting justice in this world? The answer is a changed heart, which infers a person’s need to be reborn. Jesus spoke of this in John 3:6-7 saying: “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’” The spiritual rebirth comes about when you and I acknowledge that we are in need of Saving from our sinful ways. In turn, we acknowledge Jesus as the one who Saves because of His Atoning Sacrifice, as Paul wrote: “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)
When we have had the born again experience, our hearts have been changed. Now we can understand the teaching Jesus gave concerning social justice: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
(Luke 10:30-37)
We who are forgiven and born again, have entered into a personal relationship with The Living Lord. The natural response to our new life is to share The Gospel, encouraging others to also seek this new life. Reaching out with love, we do not see any social or racial barriers because, the Gospel message is for all - bringing hope. Just as Jesus reached out to all, we in turn heed His command: “Go and do likewise.”
Today, let us remember our social responsibility’s as followers of Jesus.
John Joseph Fox.