By Lidya Corry Tampubolon, Jakarta
Recently, social media buzzed with discontent over our country’s justice system. A clear case of intentional homicide resulted in an acquittal, leaving many people questioning the court’s sense of justice. This controversial decision prompted cries of, “Is justice still served in our public institutions?”
Justice is a fundamental human desire. From childhood, we learn about fairness and aspire to be treated justly. Yet, achieving this ideal isn’t straightforward. Consider family dynamics: even when parents love their children equally, perceptions of favoritism can arise. In such cases, fairness becomes elusive.
Now, let’s broaden the scope. How does justice fare in our wider social context? Let’s explore why pursuing justice is a biblical responsibility, even when it feels difficult.
There are at least 3 reasons:
1. Justice Reflects God’s Nature
Justice is inherent to God’s character, and He desires its establishment in the world. The psalmist declares, “Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established fairness. You have acted with justice and righteousness throughout Israel” (Psalm 99:4 NLT). Similarly, the prophet Amos emphasizes justice flowing like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (see Amos 5:24).
Throughout the Bible, God expresses His displeasure with mere ritualistic worship that lacks compassion and benevolence toward the marginalized. For instance, through the prophet Isaiah, God rebukes the Israelites for their insincere offerings and celebrations. He calls for genuine transformation: “Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow” (Isaiah 1:16-17).
As followers of God, we are called to embody justice. We should actively work towards biblical justice and address oppression in our fallen world. By doing so, we align ourselves with God’s heart and contribute to His redemptive work.
2. Christians are the Light and Salt of the World
In Matthew 5:13, Jesus tells his followers, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” This metaphor carries profound meaning. In ancient times, salt served as a natural preservative, preventing food from spoiling. Similarly, Christians are called to prevent moral decay caused by sin and to positively influence the world around them.
Salt not only preserves but also enhances flavor. Even though it may not be visible, its impact is felt. Likewise, Christians should bring goodness and grace to their surroundings, even when their actions go unnoticed.
Matthew 5:13-16 emphasizes that Christians are inherently salt and light. It doesn’t say, “You must become salt and light,” but rather, “You are salt and light.” This underscores the responsibility for believers to fulfill their purpose: preventing decay and illuminating the darkness. After all, if we lose our flavor and shine, we become useless.
3. Jesus is the Ultimate Model for Championing Justice
“Jesus also taught: ‘Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished.’” (Mark 12:38-40 NLT).
During His earthly ministry, Jesus challenged societal norms. He was associated with tax collectors, prostitutes, and those considered social outcasts. His actions disrupted the accepted order, confronting hypocrisy and injustice perpetuated by religious authorities. Jesus didn’t discriminate based on appearance or social status; He treated everyone fairly and answered their questions—even the tricky ones, like in the case of the woman caught in adultery (John 7:53-8:11). His life reflected a commitment to biblical justice.
Remarkably, Jesus not only fought against injustice but also became a victim of it. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross bore our sins, allowing us to receive God’s righteousness.
Injustice arises from humanity’s fall into sin, damaging relationships with God, self, others, and the created world. This brokenness allows people to act unfairly and oppress fellow human beings.
However, Christ’s salvation work—achieved through His death and resurrection—has dealt a decisive blow to sin and injustice. This profound transformation offers hope. Despite the world’s unfairness, with its various oppressions and evils, we anticipate a future when the Lord Jesus, returning as King, will establish justice in the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:3-4).
Following Christ’s example, we, too, are called to fight against injustice. What kind of injustice have you encountered today? Let’s pray and take action to make a difference, whether by showing kindness, standing up for the vulnerable, or simply living out our faith.
(This was adapted from a previously published article on WarungSaTeKaMu)
Our Daily Bread Ministries in Indonesia is supported by the freewill offering of individuals in Indonesia, who through their gifts enable us to continue to bring the life-changing wisdom of the Bible to many here. We are not funded by any church or organisation.
