What Does Justice Looks Like? (Part II)

Today, I preach on "What Does Justice Looks Like?" which is a series of messages I will be preaching for the next several weeks. There is a need to address this particular issue about what is true biblical justice. There are some within Reformed evangelicalism that do not have a clear definition nor understanding of what is true justice or else social justice. When it comes to true biblical justice is the church's attitude and responsibility towards those who are less fortunate than others especially the poor marginalized and indigenous minority and people of color. Whenever we speak about biblical justice is God's way of justice by which it is based upon His righteousness. Anything that falls short of the biblical justice of God is nevertheless pretension and hypocritical. (Matt. 23) The religious leaders of Christ's day are that the Pharisees and scribes wanted to be in Moses sit by which it was based upon their own self-authority by which it was not sanctioned by God. They talk about the law but yet they omitted such weighted matters: that of grace, truth, and mercy.

Throughout this article, I will begin to address the subject matter "What Does Justice Looks Like?" I also from scripture will point out to you a crystal picture of what is true biblical justice as opposed to social justice movements of today. The social justice movement will attempt to offer that by which God rejects as an offering of works by which it cannot solve the social and moral ills of our society. (Mic. 6:6-7) Also, many of our churches and the social justice gospel movements appear to be biblical in their theological views and orientation but are none other than a "worldly" Christian document that is opposite of what is truly biblical orthodoxy. So, the question is what is the true biblical meaning of justice? 

Micah 6:8

"And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." In Isaiah 1:17 where the prophet Isaiah says to the people of Israel: "learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, and plead the case of the widow." It is our responsibility as the church to learn to do what is right. In order for God's people to do the right thing is that they must have the righteousness of Christ through trusting in Jesus Christ for their salvation. (Tit. 3:5) We are renewed and regenerated by the work of the Holy Spirit by which believers are born of the Spirit. (Jn. 3:3) As further as our salvation is concerned even though we have the assurance and security of our salvation that new babes in Christ must have their minds renewed by God's Word. (Rom. 12:2) By us having God's own righteousness through salvation in Jesus Christ that we have a desire to do what is right. We yearned to do what is pleasing and glorifying to the Lord. (2 Pet. 3:18) In order for the church to act justly is to demonstrate that of the righteous acts of God. The righteousness of God is that of God's justice. What are the righteous acts of God? It is God who protects, and makes provision of His people in the midst of injustice. When it comes to warriors of God's justice is to speak out on behalf of others who are oppressed and socially alienated from society. God judges and makes provisions on behalf of the marginalized and indigenous people. When it comes to the poor and minority they are left at the hands of injustice. Racism and institutional racism have in fact tainted that of our social and human institutions: that of employment, housing, education, and finances. As God's warriors of justice are to speak out by speaking truth to power even to those within our judicial and political systems.

Isaiah 1:17

Isaiah chapter 1 verse 17 gives a true description of what is true biblical justice: that is to encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, and plead for the case of the widow.

A. Encouraged the oppressed (v. 17): What is the Church's responsibility in regards to encouraging the oppressed? (Deut. 14:29) How about allowing others who are less fortunate to eat and live at your house! As a result of the church welcoming the aliens ("foreigners"), fatherless, and widows to live and eat at their house that they will be blessed by the Lord. Even Jesus says when you have done it unto the least of my little ones you have done it unto me.

B. Defending the cause of the fatherless (v. 17): Whenever the court and judges decide to take bribes to pervert justice is in fact a worse form of injustice. There are people who have been guilty of the crime they did not commit. Instead of the courts defending the cause of the fatherless, they sold them for a pair of shoes. Corruption, bribes, and the taking of gifts by justices are a clear indication of injustice because they do not care about the poor. 

C. Plead the case of the widow (v. 17): According to James 1:27: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  The true characteristics of religion are to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being contaminated by this world. When it comes to true biblical justice is for the church to relieve both the orphans and widows of distress. Can you imagine some child in a foster home waiting for someone to love them and the widow who lost their loved ones who are left alone without the support and encouragement? Whenever the church seeks to support orphans and widows it helps a lot. Why we who are seeking to be Christian activists and social activists must be careful that we don't get caught up in the world. Because it is so easy to drift off by which we lose our testimony and witness as Christians. Even though we must proclaim the message of Christ's gospel but that it is our responsibility and duties as God's warriors of justice is to do what is right by reaching out to others who do not have a voice nor a platform so as to speak out concerning injustice in our world today. The gospel did not give any specifics or recipe as to when, where, and how we must do justice but throughout the OT speaks about true biblical justice (Mic. 6:8; Isa. 1:17). We must also be hermeneutical, contextual, and applicational in our approach to doing justice. It must be God's way of justice; not the superficial presentation and approach of many of the social movements today. The social justice movement brings people to the awareness of injustice but it does not bring about such redemptive change within people's lives nor the environment. 

Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the founder of the Reformed Black Think Tank of America of Atlanta, Georgia. He is the Podcast Host of "Darryl Unplugged Podcast" which airs 24/7 @ bishopoflyonsspreaker.com. Darryl has written several books including his well-known bestselling book "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" As a pastor, apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian, and their puppy "Little Baby."