Wednesday, April 21, 2021

God's Justice

Our nation has watched the televised trial of Derek Chauvin vs. George Floyd over the past 2 weeks. As I write this, the verdict is about to be read. 12 jurors spent just over 10 hours deciding the outcome. The hope for many is that this will be a guilty verdict on all 3 counts and a step towards justice. Many have said not only is the police officer on trial here, but also the American justice system. Many fear for the future of our country if the verdict is not guilty. Buildings in Minneapolis have been boarded up and the police station has been fortified to protect against retribution.

While I wait for the verdict to be read, my mind turns to the entire concept of justice. God created each one of us with a sense of justice. If a wrong occurs, there should be a punishment. It's common sense. It's logical. It's the way we are wired. The Jewish nation had the law in which was written, "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." There was to be punishment for harm done. And the punishment should be comparable to the damage that was inflicted. 


The Bible is clear that our God is a God of justice. Isaiah 30:18 says, "For the Lord is a God of justice." And it's clear that God wants us to be just, as it's written in 1:17, "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."

It may appear some get away with sinful acts, yet there will come a day, even if we as men fai
l to hold people accountable, when God sets all that is wrong right. "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'"

Even in Jesus, God doesn't overlook justice. God remains just in that Jesus paid the price or payed the punishment for our sins. Jesus endured the consequences for our wrongdoings. "The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice," is written in Deuteronomy 32:4

The cameras have been turned back on in the courtroom. The judge has taken his seat and the jurors have returned. Everyone is in place as the judge begins to read the verdict while the world watches with uneasy consternation: Count after count is read. One after another and the result is: guilty on all 3 counts. 

It's a great victory for our nation as a whole. And while I am relieved to feel justice has been served, at the same time my heart is saddened for the guilty. And my prayer is for them to repent and seek forgiveness. 

The truth is that everyone of us is guilty. We have all fallen short of the glory of God and owe a debt we can never repay. Thanks to the grace of God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross clearing a way to have our sins forgiven and God's justice satisified. 

It may be Friday, but Sunday is coming!

Easter Sunday will be here in a few short days. Christians all over the world will celebrate our Savior's victory over sin and death. Th...