Responding to Injustice

Heavenly Father, we come before you today seeking your wisdom and guidance. Open our hearts and minds to your Word as we explore what it means to respond to injustice in a way that honors you. Help us to be instruments of your peace and righteousness in a world that desperately needs your light. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Introduction:

Human beings today are plagued by an ancient problem: To put it mildly, we have trouble getting along. That’s why there’s no shortage of wars, conflicts, arguments, and fights in our nation and around the world. Although we hope this would not be the case among Christians, the sad reality is that churches experience disagreements and divisions—and they have since the beginning.

Personal Testimony on first experience with conflict from within the church body.

Good morning, church.

Today, we continue our series "Living in a Divided World" with a message titled "Responding to Injustice. Living God's Way: Justice, Mercy, and Humility "

The Bible gives us clear guidance on how we, as followers of Christ, should respond to the injustice in the world and around us personally.

Scripture Reading:

Let's start by reading our key scriptures:

Micah 6:8 NKJV

8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

Isaiah 1:17 NKJV

17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.

1. Understanding Biblical Justice

a. The Overall Context:

The book of Micah is a prophetic text that addresses the social, political, and religious corruption in Israel and Judah during the 8th century B.C.

In Micah 6, God, through the prophet, is presenting His case against Israel in a manner similar to a courtroom setting. The chapter begins with God’s indictment against the people for their unfaithfulness and disobedience, despite His continuous acts of kindness and deliverance.

b. Understanding Micah 6:8

Micah 6:8 NKJV

8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good"

God reminds the people that He has already revealed to them what is good and righteous. There is no mystery about what God desires from His people; it has been clearly communicated through His laws and teachings.

"And what does the Lord require of you?"

This rhetorical question emphasizes that God’s expectations are not burdensome or impossible to understand. Rather, they are simple and straightforward, focusing on the ethical and moral conduct of His people.

"To act justly"

This refers to living in a way that reflects God’s justice. It involves fairness, honesty, and integrity in dealings with others. Justice in the biblical sense also includes protecting and advocating for the vulnerable and oppressed, ensuring that everyone is treated with dignity and fairness.

This means our actions should reflect God’s character, standing up for what is right, even when it’s difficult or unpopular.

Example: Daniel in the Lion’s Den (Daniel 6) Daniel stood firm in his faith, continuing to pray to God despite a decree that could cost him his life. His commitment to God’s justice and righteousness was unwavering, and God honored his faith by delivering him from the lions.

Additional Scriptures:

Proverbs 21:3 NKJV

3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

James 1:27 NKJV

27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

"To love mercy"

Mercy, or kindness (Hebrew: hesed), is about showing compassion and loyalty in our relationships with others. Loving mercy means that we do not just perform acts of kindness out of obligation, but we delight in showing kindness, forgiveness, and generosity, (to those who may not deserve it.) For this action is reflecting God’s own merciful nature.

It’s about reflecting God’s heart in our interactions.

Illustration: The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1-11) When the religious leaders brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, expecting her to be condemned, Jesus instead offered her mercy. He challenged those without sin to cast the first stone, and when they left, He told her to go and sin no more. Jesus’ response teaches us to show mercy and offer second chances.

Additional Scriptures:

Matthew 5:7 NKJV

7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

Luke 6:36 NKJV

36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

"To walk humbly with your God"

Walking humbly with God means living in a constant awareness of God’s presence, submitting to His will, and recognizing our dependence on Him. Humility in this context involves a proper understanding of our relationship with God, where we acknowledge that He is sovereign and we are His servants.

Humility means recognizing that God is the ultimate judge, and we are called to align our lives with His will and ways.

Additional Scriptures:

Philippians 2:3 NKJV

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

James 4:10 NKJV

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

So now let us turn our attention to Isaiah 1:17:

The Call to Justice: Defending the Vulnerable in God’s Name (Isaiah 1:17)

Isaiah 1 is part of a larger section where the prophet Isaiah is delivering God’s message of judgment against the nation of Judah. The people had turned away from God, engaging in idolatry while continuing to perform religious rituals. God, through Isaiah, condemns this hypocrisy and calls the people to genuine repentance and righteous living.

Isaiah 1:17 is part of God’s appeal for true righteousness, where outward religious acts must be accompanied by ethical and moral behavior that reflects God’s heart.

Understanding Isaiah 1:17

Isaiah 1:17 NKJV

17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.

"Learn to do right"

God is calling the people to re-educate themselves in righteousness. This suggests that they have strayed from what is right and need to relearn how to live according to God’s standards.

"Seek justice"

The call to seek justice is a command to pursue fairness and righteousness actively. It is about more than just avoiding wrongdoing; it involves taking positive steps to ensure that justice is upheld in society, especially for those who are marginalized or mistreated.

"Defend the oppressed"

This phrase emphasizes the need to protect and advocate for those who are powerless or disadvantaged. The oppressed are those who suffer under the weight of injustice, and God’s people are called to be their defenders.

"Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow"

The fatherless (orphans) and widows represent the most vulnerable members of society in ancient Israel. They had no one to protect or provide for them, making them easy targets for exploitation. God’s command is clear: His people must step in to support and defend these vulnerable groups, ensuring that they receive justice and care.

Biblical Application

Isaiah 1:17 highlights God’s concern for social justice and the ethical treatment of the vulnerable. It teaches that true faith is not just about rituals or ceremonies but about living out God’s principles in everyday life. Seeking justice, defending the oppressed, and caring for the vulnerable are expressions of genuine faith and obedience to God’s will.

This verse challenges believers to examine their own lives and communities, asking whether they are truly reflecting God’s heart for justice and mercy. It calls for an active, intentional effort to make a difference in the lives of those who are most in need.

Isaiah 1:17 commands us to "seek justice, defend the oppressed, take up the cause of the fatherless, and plead the case of the widow." This is not passive; it’s an active pursuit. We are called to be proactive in bringing God’s justice to those in need.

Illustration: Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1-2) Nehemiah sought justice when he heard about the suffering of his people in Jerusalem. He prayed, fasted, and then took action by leading the rebuilding of the city’s walls. His leadership brought both physical and spiritual renewal to his people.

Additional Scriptures:

Jeremiah 22:3: "This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place."Psalm 146:7-9: "He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous."

Conclusion

Responding to injustice is a fundamental part of our calling as Christians. We are called to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. As we do these things, we reflect God’s character and bring His kingdom closer to earth.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your Word and the guidance it provides. Help us to be people who act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. Give us the courage to seek justice and defend the oppressed in our communities. May our actions reflect Your love and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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