1. THE JUST GOD
Text: Deuteronomy 32:3-4
Injustice is a common phenomenon in today’s society. Most people might remember moments when they experienced injustice, and how their ultimate desire was to get justice. At another time, when injustice was not directed at them, how they looked away without concern.
As daunting and prevalent as injustice is, it is heart-warming to know that justice and righteousness are the foundation of God’s throne. Justice is an attribute of God– He cannot be unjust, he defines all standards of justice, and justice is rooted in all His actions. Justice is an extension of God’s love, His fairness in protecting and defending the disadvantaged.
Injustice is an abomination in the sight of God. Taking the route of injustice is an affront to Him. The Cross reveal God’s commitment to justice; He could not bypass justice on sin in saving humankind–Christ died for our sins. Let His omnipresence restrain us from any form of injustice.
2. GOD’S DISDAIN FOR INJUSTICE
Text: 2 Chronicles 19:5-7
God hate injustice. He has a caring concern for all people and would not desire anyone to be oppressed or the weak plundered or denied what is rightly theirs. He holds everybody accountable for any dose of injustice done and also for collaborators.
Being involved in any form of injustice is an affront to the person and intentions of God. Doing what God dislike is sin. As Christians, what is our readiness to do the will of God or help maintain justice in our spheres of influence or the opportunity we have?
The heart of an unregenerate is alienated from Christ and desperately wicked. The only way it can desire to do the will of God is by yielding completely to Christ and growing by faith in the word of God through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
Let us repent, be just and hate injustice as God does.
3. THE VENOM OF INJUSTICE
Texts: Proverbs 17:15, Amos 5:15
Injustice has brought untold evil to humanity. The world is troubled and scampering for justice. Everyone, in a bid to secure peace and justice, keeps inventing selfish attitudes, pushing humankind far from getting the needed peace and justice. We will swim in illusion unless we embrace Christ as the only source of peace and justice.
The evil people are acquitted, and the innocent are condemned. Amos saw this phenomenon in Israel, prosperity was limited to the wealthy, and they fed on injustice and oppression of the poor. Religious observance was insincere and fair-mindedness more apparent than real; he called for justice as the route for God’s mercies–that call is relevant today.
When we seek justice, we invite the hand of God in our affairs as a people.
With the complexity of problems orchestrated by injustice and disobedience to God, we all need to run to Christ for healing and rest.
4. THE MANY DOORS OF INJUSTICE
Jeremiah 22:2-3
The world groans with injustice on all fronts, in the family, schools, markets, offices and even in the house of God. One question that begs an answer is–In our spheres of influence, are we ensuring that justice and godliness prevail?
As children of God, we should be careful not to open the door of injustice in any form. It is like setting a dry forest on fire, as you may not direct or control the havoc it will create. Identify the just way of doing things and pray for the grace to follow even when it is to your hurt because of Christ.
The self-destroying tendency of injustice can only be arrested by children of God with the gospel of Christ and our exemplary lives. In effect, sin and injustice can only be assuaged by the message of the Cross. Let us repent, embrace salvation and live the life of Christ.
5. SOCIAL INJUSTICE
Text: Psalms 82:1-4, Matthew 5:7
As long as injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, we cannot truly rest—social injustice like discrimination, racism, economic inequality and unequal opportunity. Social injustice occurs when people are treated unfairly. How do we act as children of God when we are favoured unjustly at the expense of others or when we are in a position to dispense fairness–do we show favouritism? Do we look the other way because we are not directly affected by a particular injustice– that is injustice in disguise? Do we demarcate justice for the rich and the poor? Do we enable certain people to buy their way out of wrongdoing? Untruthfulness and duplicity when dealing with people is an insidious form of injustice.
As Christian, we should not limit people’s access to opportunities in any guise, thus forcing them into a disadvantaged condition. If guilty of that, repent and reciprocate the mercy and justice we enjoyed in Christ.
6. SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE
Texts: Luke 18:2-8, Matthew 5:13-16, Proverbs 29:2
Today more than ever, prayer is needed for leaders and nations of the world, those entrusted with the provision of the common good and controllers of systems. Operating as a child of God could be challenging when systems, policies, and the environment are toxic and saturated with injustice.
Any mortal can fall into sin and abuse power entrusted to them, thereby creating an environment where injustice is entertained and flourishing. Systemic injustice is the greatest terror a leader can inflict on its people– where wrong is accepted in operational processes.
We should pray for our leaders and be sure to do what is right at any leadership level we find ourselves in as Christians. We are the salt and light of the world–we must correct systemic injustice through our Christ-like exemplary life and ensure that civil responsibilities are carried out according to the law of the land that are not against the word of God.
7. THE GROWING FRUSTRATION
Text: Matthew 11:28
It is not a sin to feel disheartened at happenings in the world, but it is a sin to remain hopeless or take a wrong decision. Christ had called us to rest in Him even amid the hopelessness. At such moments, we should look beyond the turmoil created by injustices of humans against ourselves and run to the loving arms of Christ.
We should not run alone to Christ, we are to evangelise and tell the world that only the love of Christ will save the world from the growing frustration orchestrated by injustice.
The solution is in Christ and not in any human strategy or method. Resorting to the abuse of bodies with drugs, alcohol, sex, and pornography will aggravate the crisis. The confused and unjust world needs Christ as the only escape route. Personal experience of the love and forgiveness in Christ can arrest this growing confusion.
8. CHRISTIANS RESPONSIBILITIES
Texts: Isaiah 1:17, 1 Peter 4:10, Proverbs 31:8-9
The world is in trouble, the normality and abnormality are on a collision course and rapidly washing away morality. The ripple effect of injustice in the life and minds of people cannot be measured as different people respond differently to issues–the result is better to imagine. For repentance to halt the decline, Christians are obligated to teach the subject of justice in every corner of human existence.
Many victims of injustice find it challenging to understand what peaceful and loving coexistence means. We may not be able to keep people from suffering injustice, but we can give them hope in Christ.
Christ’s love is expressed in servanthood and selfless desire for the good of others, which should be ours as we seek justice for others. We should stand up to achieve an ideal society; in that we are sending forth the ripples of hope in Christ to the unjust world.
9. THE PERPETRATORS OF INJUSTICE
Texts: Psalm 94:21-23, Revelation 22:12, Matthew 7:12
God’s judgement is imminent. His retributive justice where the destination of all people is decided according to merits and demerits. God’s judgement will make the distinction between the just and unjust, a time to exercise judgement on all for activities carried out in the body, whether good or bad. It is a time to call into account and administer a verdict on all performances. This time will come determined by God, and His judgement is impartial and final.
God’s assessment will be based on what we have done or ought to do. Could it be turning a blind eye to oppression and watching from the side-line with all pleasure because you are not affected or ones you participate?
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hand of God Almighty, so we need to repent and do the will of God when grace is available and has been preached to us.
10. GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE FOR HUMANITY
Text: 1 Peter 5:10-11
When we look at the state of the world, it is easy to be confused as every day unfolds an ugly dimension of injustice and inhumanity towards one another. Love and justice seem to be in extinction, but God's original intention for a perfect relationship cannot be laid off; it will come to pass.
We were messed up in Adam, and Christ came for restoration. The seed of injustice that had its root in the corrupted nature we inherited from Adam was changed with the spirit of Christ that can live a life pleasing to God in justice and holiness.
At an appointed time, this age will be closed, and God will bring a total restoration and a just kingdom full of righteousness. You can be part of the restoration and reward if you repent now and surrender your will and life to the Lordship of Christ.
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