Just
wait, they’ll be sorry. I’m sure that’s NEVER crossed your mind…or mine.
Right? (In case you’re in doubt, yes, that’s drenched in sarcasm.) Of course
that thought, or something similar, has at least fluttered in your brain waves
or pulsed through your emotions at some point in time. We’re all only human.
Justice is one of those basic, almost
instinctual, senses. And in some of us, it can run deep—and strong. I think
there are general guidelines for the types of actions that would cause such an
emotion, but is the actual implementation of justice always agreed-upon? NO WAY.
And does my knee-jerk definition of an appropriate application of justice match
God’s? Probably not.
It all began when God whispered into my
heart in the midst of a personal scenario. What
if exposure and an apology never happens? What if I serve justice by healing
her heart? WOW! Talk about a challenge! He wasn’t challenging me in my
understanding and application of forgiveness, but instead was challenging my
working knowledge in how He defines justice.
Before I go further, I should clarify
that this does NOT substitute in cases where a natural justice system is
needed. This is simply a spiritual principle, and the situation to which this
was being applied in my life was not one that would warrant any legal
proceedings. In cases where a natural system of justice is needed, I am of the opinion
that it is up the wronged party to decide if legal action and any potential
restitution is indicated AND ALSO pray for God’s justice in the situation.
Okay, hopefully that’s clarified; let’s move on.
Scales are a classic visual metaphor for
justice. Bringing balance, righting a wrong. Yep, we got it. But what happens
when our human logic and emotions enter the mix? Maybe we don’t really “got it.”
And if we can acknowledge that maybe we don’t really “got it,” can we also
trust that God does? Can we trust that our eternal God Who is goodness and
love, Who also sits enthroned in the highest heavens on justice (see Psalm 89:14) has it? Oh, yes. Until, of course, it
doesn’t fulfill my knee-jerk emotional
sense of justice.
It goes back to the beginning. What was the state of humanity BEFORE the
fall? THAT is the question. Why? Because to RETURN and RESTORE back to THAT
condition is God’s version of justice. To demolish strongholds of the enemy in
someone’s life, bringing freedom from years of oppression. To uproot lies that
have entangled themselves in someone’s mind and heart. To pour His healing grace,
kindness, and truth into the gaping wounds in someone’s heart so that person
can be whole. God’s justice.
God’s justice isn’t retributive justice. That’s our knee-jerk human emotional version
of justice. You hurt me, so I’ll get even. God’s justice is restorative justice. She hurt him, and
God knows why. He sees the lies and wounds in her heart that caused her to
behave in ways that hurt him, and He reaches in and uproots and heals. He ALSO sees the hurt in his heart, and He
reaches in and uproots and heals. Then, God begins to nudge both toward reconciliation and the relationship is
better and stronger than ever. Greater unity, more understanding, and moving
forward in peace.
Now, obviously, that superfast sketch
was ultra-simplified and real-life situations are often far stickier,
complicated, and can take so much longer. And reconciliation may not feasible
for any number of reasons. But, I think you get the idea. God sees each one of
us. He knows each one of our hearts, and He is FOR each and every one of us. He
desires for ALL to experience and operate in His grace and truth. He wants all
of us to live in His freedom, I mean, He shed His blood for it!
And that’s a perfect visual for HIS
version of justice. The cross. I sinned, and He died so I would be able to experience
union with Him and His freedom, but I also have to bring my humanistic
reasoning and emotional reactions to the cross and trust that He’s got it.