Justice

Justice should be a straightforward word, but in a culture of insane contradictions and evil atrocities, we have to clarify what we actually mean by it.

The simple definition, beyond fair treatment, is administering deserved punishment or reward. This requires a standard of behavior; a set of absolutes governing acceptable conduct.

For some the modern idea of situational ethics has replaced the former norms of behavior.  Justice, for them, means retribution, redistribution and vigilante mob rule.

There are so many injustices around the globe every day that we can become overwhelmed or worse yet, calloused and indifferent.  From the woman who gives her one year old toddler to her boyfriend for sex to the beheadings around the globe, gut wrenching behaviors that should never have been tolerated in civil society are assigned defense lawyers.

There is such a need for justice that within hours of the shooting of Michael Brown, a crowd gathered to protest and soon turned violent, before the facts or evidence were even available.  People crave justice.  What is just though?  In Ferguson, small businesses and shops were vandalized, people were hurt and accusations flew.  Did justice prevail there? How does trashing a shop on Main Street provide justice for that young man’s death?

What of the people in orange jumpsuits? What about their killers? In a perfect world they would receive justice. Many of those who espouse the right to personhood are rightly horrified.

There have been killers since Cain. The Aztecs, various tribes of others and even the Children of Israel have engaged in child sacrifice: killing those who have no way of asking for justice.  The wholesale murder of innocents by abortion is no different.  Their people group is unable to express outrage.  Their only hope for justice is you and me.

Let us call for justice at every turn.  Let us, who hold the Scriptures dear as the one and only standard by which we will be judged, require justice from those in power.  Let us begin within our own sphere of influence.  Let us, in all honesty and with gracious speech, defend all who are oppressed and in every conversation begin to plant the seeds of the restoration of the sanctity of human life.  Let us be ever vigilant to the cause of all people without consideration for age, degree of dependency or level of ability.  Let us not for a moment be silent.

How will you defend your fellow humans?