For the LORD loves justice,
And does not forsake His saints;
They are preserved forever,
But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. Psalm 37:28
God has always cared very deeply about justice, being perfectly just Himself. In the law of Moses He required leaders to be just, and specific provision was made for the least powerful people to be treated justly. Those who perverted justice were condemned. King David was praised for administering justice to all the people (1 Chronicles 18:14). And when Israel slipped into practices that corrupted justice, they eventually lost God’s favor and blessing (e.g. Micah 6:9ff). Jesus included justice as one of the “weightier matters of the law” that must not be neglected (Matthew 23:23).
In fact, it is God’s concern for justice that led Jesus to the cross. Sin cannot be overlooked. Justice requires some kind of penalty or punishment.
And deep in our souls we know this. That’s why, when we see injustice in the world, we are torn up about it inside. We feel angry and we want to set it right. We are not to seek vengeance and it’s not usually our place to determine the penalty, but we have an obligation before God to stand up for those who are treated unjustly.
But there is a time when justice should not be very high on my list of concerns, and that is when I myself am treated unjustly.
I’m not talking about legal or criminal matters. Paul was a Roman and he asserted his rights as such when he had to deal with human government (Acts 22:25). But when I feel that someone in my life is not treating me as they should, Jesus didn’t teach that I am to stand on my rights and pursue my own justice. Jesus said rather to turn the other cheek, give more than what is asked, and return good for evil (Matthew 5:38ff).
Let’s just say it. That’s really hard to do.
When someone is treating us in a way that we perceive as unfair, we feel justified in complaining, lecturing, applying the guilt-trip and/or the silent treatment. After all, we are only seeking what is just and right.
But what will the result be? What was the result when the woman at the Phillies game last year demanded that the homerun ball be given to her? In her mind, she had the ball and someone unjustly took it away from her. And she may have been right! But who was perceived as the villain in that story? She was. When we demand our rights, we rarely look good doing it.
Perhaps sometimes we will get the ball back, but often the cost is very high. Pursuing our rights may cost relationships and often leads to bitterness. It feeds, and is fed by, a victim mentality. When we stand on our rights, whether as spouses, as parents, as children, as neighbors, as friends, and even as children of God, we are focusing on ourselves and on what we want that we do not have. Having a right to something doesn’t mean it is wise or right to pursue it.
Even if I’m right, that doesn’t mean I’m acting right. I may be right but still be behaving selfishly or pridefully. I must also consider that I may not be right. At times I have felt mistreated only to realize later that I had unfairly judged the situation, making ME the one who was unjust.
All of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility. 1 Peter 5:5
When Jesus mentioned “weightier matters,” he also included mercy. When it’s personal— when my feelings are hurt and I’m not being treated as I think I should be treated— rather than indulging a feeling of indignation, I am much better off to pray, to ask God to intervene to improve the relationship, and also to THANK HIM for all the times that I have received mercy rather than justice.
God does care about justice, but ultimately He’s asked us to leave it to Him (Romans 12:19).
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18
Even when I am wronged, because I know Jesus, I can know peace.
by Christie Cole Atkins
Dear God, when I’m mistreated help me to remember how Jesus responded to mistreatment and help me to abide by his teaching to turn the other cheek. Give me the strength to pray and to show mercy rather than to retaliate. May I always consider the spiritual implications of my interactions with others. Guide me with Your Spirit. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Related Reading:
Walk Worthy 