Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
Biblical justice starts by seeing people as God sees them, made in his image, equally loved by him—and treated that way.
Following Jesus means to pursue justice on behalf of those who are not able to do so on their own. It means protecting the vulnerable, fighting on behalf of the oppressed, and walking alongside those who are hurting. Treating people justly means to try and show compassion in the way Jesus modelled.
One inspiring example of a Christian pursuing injustice was William Wilberforce, a British Member of Parliament in the 19th century. He worked tirelessly to ban the slave trade, fighting this battle for years while in poor health and often standing alone. He would not stop his effort until he had won the battle.
Since the time of Jesus, many Christians have taken action to change the status quo of their day. Why did these believers take on such challenges?
Tom Minnery, author of Why You Can’t Stay Silent, explains it this way:
“The fact is, when hearts are changed by the gospel, sometimes those hearts begin to beat in new rhythms. These are the people who, renewed in Christ, begin to see with fresh eyes what is wrong, because the gospel has taught them what is right. They are the ones who cannot ignore what is happening around them, the ones who stand up and say, ‘Somebody has to do something!’”
Throughout Jesus’ life, he cared for those who did not receive justice from society: the ignored, the lepers, sinners. Jesus cared for all people and he calls his followers to do the same.
Do you have eyes that see what’s wrong in the world?
marja
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