To View the Video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-zeRWcOciNA
SHOW NOTES
Welcome to a new week of the Hope Rescue Podcast. We will be spending the next three weeks breaking down Micah 6:8 which says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” This week in the first week of this three-part series, we are discussing the first requirement which says “do justice.” What does it mean to do justice? What is justice and how can we uphold justice in our daily lives? Keep reading or listening to find out!
What is justice? The definition that stands out most often is "the equal treatment of all people irrespective of race, economics, or religion." Tim and Kimberly emphasize two facets of justice: penalties for transgressions and giving benefits to those who lack. The former seems to be more emphasized in the conversation of justice but the latter is just as important. Deuteronomy 10:18 says, "He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing." Most of us think of justice as someone getting what they deserved, often for committing a crime or offense. While merited punishments are an important part of justice, they only represent a fraction of what it means to “do justice.”
According to Deuteronomy 10:18 which we read earlier, justice also involves taking care of the vulnerable and needy. James 1:27 says, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” Our individual responsibility as Christ-followers is to reach out to and take care of at-risk and vulnerable individuals. Our hearts need to break for what breaks the heart of God. In one of his sermons, Craig Groeschel says, “What if God's greatest blessings were on the other side of our greatest breakings?” Justice involves being heart-broken for another person to the point of doing something about it. It involves identifying a need and meeting it.
Tim also brings up Leviticus 19:15 which says, "You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor." So justice is not simply about being impartial towards the poor but also towards the great. Deuteronomy 1:17 says, “You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God's. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.’”
What are ways we can “do justice” to marginalized people?
Christians must understand the complexity of discrimination that marginalized people experience. Hear people’s stories and ask questions about their journey. Really listen to their experiences and emotions, and try to put yourself in their shoes.
Christians must always see others as image bearers of Christ. Genesis 1:27 says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Kimberly says, “Regardless of any barriers we identify holding us back in life, the playing field is evened when we start to see ourselves and others as image-bearers of Christ.”
Christians must be peace-makers and defend the sacredness of humanity. We need to have voices that stand for the oppressed and call the church to unity. To have unity in the church, we must stand together.
Christians must be hospitable to marginalized people. How have you reached out to people in your world to people who are marginalized?
Christians must balance people’s stories with divine truth. Regardless of a person's story or experience, we must use scripture to ground us and act as our ultimate truth.
Our ethical responsibility as Christ-followers includes retribution for wrong-doings as much as it includes meeting the needs of those who have been marginalized and hurt in society. Join us next week as we discuss the second part of Micah 6:8 which is to “love kindness.” Thanks for joining us! We love you guys!
QUOTES
“Our individual responsibility as Christ-followers is to reach out to and take care of at-risk and vulnerable individuals.” -Tim
“Regardless of any barriers we identify holding us back in life, the playing field is evened when we start to see ourselves and others as image-bearers of Christ.” -Kimberly
REFERENCED SCRIPTURE
Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Deuteronomy 10:18 "He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing."
James 1:27 "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Leviticus 19:15 "You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor."
Deuteronomy 1:17 “You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God's. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.’”
Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them”
