For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong (Isaiah 61:8a ESV)
Having spent twenty-two years in the criminal justice system I can safely say that mankind’s justice is far from perfect. And yet one doesn’t have to work in a prison, police station, or courtroom to know that human beings fall far short of handling matters in a just manner. For we simply lack the knowledge, understanding or wisdom to do so.
And perhaps you have found yourself saying things like, “I can’t believe she got away with that!” or “That’s way too short a sentence for what they did!” or even “It is clear they are innocent! How could they find them guilty!”
But sometimes it is even more personal. Like when someone wrongs you and seems to suffer no repercussions. Or worse, they are without remorse and keep wronging you, and you have no way to stop them or bring them to justice. So, this world is filled with people who cry out, “Where is the justice in this world!”
Well, sometimes there is justice in this world. Sometimes we as people, by God’s grace, do “get it right.” But if people are looking for perfect justice, or even close to perfect justice in this world, they will be sorely disappointed and keep grinding their teeth at an imperfect criminal justice system.
So, is there any reprieve for our teeth grinding?
Well, the good news is that God loves justice and hates wrongdoing. And whenever He administers justice, it is perfect. And yet, in this life, people will not get all they deserve for their wrongdoing, for sin in the form of partiality, prejudice, and corruption abounds. So, we will have to wait until all are before God almighty who knows every motive, thought and action, to have perfect justice administered.
And while this is something we can praise Him for, there is another side of the theological coin here, and that is that God is also merciful and gracious. And He will show mercy to whom He will show mercy and grace to whom He will show grace. So, let’s leave plenty of room for God to not give people all they deserve (including us, perish the thought!) In fact, let us hope that God continues to dispense mercy and grace in lieu of giving us what we deserve, because if He stops, no one will be saved!
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Rob
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:10-12 ESV)