Your Purpose 9—Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly

Injustice in Scripture encompasses

·        Oppression of the weak, the poor, the needy.

·        False accusations and false testimony—aimed at the innocent.

·        Lying/dishonesty, bribery.

·        Victimizing.

·        The making of laws that are unjust or oppressive.

·        Depriving someone of their rights.

God feels strongly about these things. In the Bible, we are told:

·        Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,  18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

·        Proverbs 17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—the Lord detests them both.

·        Isaiah 10:1-3 Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, 2 to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. 3 What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches?

·        Deuteronomy 16:19 Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.

 We, as followers and emulators of Jesus are to hate injustice wherever it is found. We are to be becoming like Him day-by-day. That includes standing up for the innocent, advocating for the oppressed, working to overturn laws that are unjust, truth-telling, and loving even our enemies.

The Lord has shown us what He desires—and expects us to do while here on this earth, well-summarized in Micah 6:8: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Reflect:

·        Can you think of a recent example of injustice close to you (your workplace, neighborhood, community)?

·        Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance.

·        What is one thing you can do to help right that injustice or to ensure it is not repeated?

Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been EquipConnectServe Director at her 1,200 member church since 1999.  Contact Shirley.

Photo © Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.