In seeking justice for our nation, there are limitations and governing principles to which we must strictly adhere.

 

First, we must be content to let God handle the retributive or punitive aspects of justice. The goal of Christians in pursuing justice is to restrain evil and to protect the innocent. This, in practical terms means that we would have the right to restrain or tie up murderers who are endangering the lives of out families, but we don’t have the right to “make him suffer for his crime” by returning an “eye for an eye.” (This is not to say that a government does not have the right to execute criminals.)

           

Secondly, while in the Old Testament God used his people to punish evil, is it clear that now, in the New testament, there lies a higher mandate of allowing the ‘salt and leaven’ or ‘good’ to change evil. Jesus said that we were not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. Thus Christians are not to demand justice for themselves. Though we may refer to whatever legal rights we may have in any society, we are only to demand and strive for justice for others. This means that a Christian must be willing to take abuse, and maltreatment rejoicingly so as to overcome evil with good.

           

Consider some of the commands we have in the following area: “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him drink, for in so doing you will heap coals of fire upon his head.” (Romans 12:20)

           

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. (Luke 6:27-30)

           

Christians therefore, must seek to promote justice on two fronts. We must seek to maintain structures and laws in our societies which will restrain evil while seeking to win over and influence public opinion by being the “light of the world.” Also we must constantly be aware that there is a third front, the spiritual realm, where the forces of evil must be subdued.

 

How to promote Justice

 

While we recognize and follow the limitations and guiding principles mentioned above, there are specific things which we can do to promote justice in our society today.

 

Prayer

 

In our Lord’s Prayer, He taught us to pray “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Prayer, then, is essential in promoting the Kingdom of God and establishing justice on this earth. It must accompany every endeavor we take for the Lord. The Bible tells us that if we ask anything “according to His will, He hears us, and if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” (John 5:14, 15)

 

In fact, we are commanded to pray for peace and for all the rulers and magistrates of this world.

 

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

 

The great revival and social programme which Nehemiah carried out began with brokenness, fasting and prayer. This gave him the spiritual renewal necessary for completing the task which God has given him to do.

 

We are told that our struggle is ultimately a spiritual one. We must ensure spiritual victory before we can see justice and peace here on earth. (Ephesians 6:12)

 

Precedent

 

By our own examples, both in our personal lives, and in our corporate activities as a community of believers, we are to be shining examples justice and love. In this way the world can see “our good works and glorify our Father which is in Heaven.”

 

Jesus used two illustrations to describe this effect. These are ‘salt’ and ‘leaven.’ The point here is that a small portion of true Christ-likeness can affect a large community around it. By sprinkling a little salt on meat, it not only gives it good taste, but it preserves it as well. In a similar way, a little leaven can cause a whole cake or loaf to rise. Thus, by exhibiting true justice in our lifestyles and relationships with fellow Christians, we will affect our communities for the good. We give them a precedent to which they can follow – a path to guide them to the truth.

 

Thus it is imperative that in our dealings with each other we do not simply resort to a “that’s business” mentality, but truly attempt to operate by principles of fundamental Christian justice. We must treat each other as creatures created in God’s image and demonstrate that we value and love each individual human being.

 

Whether in its local or universal expression as the bride of Christ, the church must operate as a model community where Christian-like love, righteousness and justice are exemplified. This is the ‘salt’ which will be a stinging rebuke in the sores of those societies where injustice reigns. Inasmuch as it is painful, though, it will also have a healing affect.

 

Political Action

 

The doctrine of the separation of church and state which many evangelicals hold dear has confused some into thinking that a Christian must not become engaged in political activity of any kind.          

 

Total apoliticalness, however, is neither desirable nor possible in a democratic country. Each citizen is, by definition, a part of the governing process. Furthermore, silence on social and political issues does not mean neutrality, but an endorsement of the status quo.

 

As such, our citizenship represents a powerful tool which we can either use to promote justice or ignore and let the forces of evil take their course.

 

Therefore, we should be aware of the moral stands of our politicians and seek to help those with Christian principles and standards to hold office. Also we should encourage them when they take a stand for justice. Most politicians assume that for every letter they receive on an issue there are hundreds of others who feel the same way but haven’t bothered to write. We should be faithful, then, in writing, phoning and contacting our elected representatives, admonishing them to stand or justice.

 

This may also mean that we become political candidates ourselves in order to influence our government.

 

Proclamation

 

Amos’s call to “let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” beckons us to proclaim and speak out for justice at every opportunity. Specifically we should seek to become more influential in the educational systems, mass media and pulpits of our country.

 

Writing to newspapers, TV networks and radio stations can have a positive effect on public opinion.

 

Unfortunately, with regard to the abortion issue, the press, intelligentsia, educational system and judicial system are biased in favour of the pro-abortion view and are trying to ram a new quality of life ethic into the political life of our nation. Thus, any attempts to proclaim justice through the media and educational systems are bound to meet with opposition and setback. Nevertheless, much progress has and can continue to be made.

 

In light of this bias, an open demonstration in the form of marches, picketing, holding public forums, and mass rallies are often the only way of showing the government and the public that we are concerned with justice. In the present case with Dr. Morgentaler and his abortuary, there is a grave danger that the only thing which will influence the outcome of the courts’ decision is if they perceive that the broad mass of Canadians will not tolerate such an injustice to the unborn.

 

There comes a time when Christians, living in a fallen society are faced with a dilemma of choosing to obey God’s law or man’s law. Man’s law or civil law, though ordained and authorized by God, is still, nevertheless, conditional. When any office orders something which is clearly contrary to God’s Word, that office loses its authority from God and is not to be obeyed.

 

There is, then a time when civil disobedience is not only a right, but a duty for Christians. When a government deliberately abandons its concern for God’s justice and advocates or permits tyranny, then resistance is appropriate.

 

There are numerous examples in the Bible and throughout church history where God’s people were forced to disobey the laws of the state. As the apostles state when they were commanded not to preach the gospel, “we must obey God rather than man.”

 

There are two important things to remember whenever we are called upon to disobey civil law in order to obey a higher law.

 

First, it must be a case where Christians are prevented from obeying a clear and definite Biblical command or are commanded to do something which is in clear violation of God’s law.

 

Secondly, resistance to civil law must not (except in the most extreme circumstances) cross the line from force to violence. Unmitigated violence can never be justified. It would totally contradict the over-riding principle of ‘overcoming evil with good.”

 

Let us all, as Christians who revere God, His word, and the sanctity of human life, commit ourselves anew to the promotion of justice, righteousness, and compassion and the termination of all unjust practices where human life is violently and indiscriminately destroyed.

 

Mel Middleton is a pro-life activist from Stouffville, Ontario.