No Justice, No Peace

Scripture: Galatians 3:28 -  “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female , for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’
Proverbs 21:2 -  “Every way of man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs his heart.”
     
There is deep concern for those who embrace ideas that demand a response to the treatment of humans particularly concerning deaths and despair. We have, for time and time again heard of “No Justice, No Peace.” What are you hearing? Perhaps, “where there is no justice, there is no peace or, since there is no justice  - there will be a disruption of your peace by whatever means necessary.” A right response/action towards acts of social in-justice has been an ongoing conversation. There is a cry out (from bottled up anger) in our streets for help, a remedy, a listening ear, for healing from deep hurt and years of oppression and in-different treatment. It dwells in the heart of man to practice injustice. Peoples should not be treated different just because they are different.  There is evidence of decade of racism toward humans who, among us have a difference of skin tone, hair texture, physical features, even ones’ place of origin. We all humans, both young and old, desire to have peace and just treatment by others. We see marches and crying out in our streets demanding Justice. Those protests were generally fueled with anger, wrath, and bitterness in their hearts.  With this toxic behavior, things can easily turn into violence. those groups seem to have grown larger to include multiple ethnicities.
     
Christians in large numbers, embraced the ideas of many social movements, without knowledge of  their agendas. Many who profess to be Christians seem to struggle with the right action.  Hasn’t God said? “Vengeance is mine, I will repay”  (Rom. 12:19c); Repay no one for evil but give thought to do what is good (Rom. 12:17).  Christians Are called to be different among mankind. They are to look like Christ in every aspect of their lives. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Take heed beloved that you not put God aside. We are Christ’s and are to glorify God in our walk. For, we are in the world but not of the world. Neither should the things of this world appeal to the Christians. For Christians have put on the new man which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness. Pay careful attention to how you walk (Eph.5:15):
a). Be angry and do not sin (Eph. 4:26)
b). Don’t give opportunity to the devil (Eph. 4:27)
c). Be imitators of God (Eph. 5:1)
d). Put away ALL bitterness, wrath, and anger (Eph. 4:31). You are no longer under the sway of the devil. Put on the new man which was created in the righteousness of God. (Eph. 4:24).

 Christians have the light of Christ. Too often they suppress that light when participating in social movements., attempting to fit in for the sake of peace. That light then becomes dim and thus very dark.  God addressed in His Word treatment for the poor, needy, the foreigner, the stranger (Lev. 19:24, 33). the oppressed as well as the oppressor (Ps 72:2,4); (Ex. 22:22); (Deut.24:14, 27:19)  God has also given us His standard against being unjust in our judgement  (Exodus 23:1-9). He will fight our battles. “Wait on the Lord.” Trust His hand in every situation. Stand still and let God be God!  Pursue the things which make for peace and the things which one may edify one another (Rom 14:19).
 No justice, no peace, has no ties with Bible scriptures. It is a political slogan that originated in protest of ethnic violence against African Americans. Since that time in the history of ethnic unrest; other slogans have risen up in our communities bearing mixed messages. “I can’t breathe,” Hands up,” “black lives matter,” etc.  

Prayer: Lord God, I am so thankful for Your Word. It is a light for my path, and a lamp for my feet. It provides godly guidance for my life. It keeps me standing upright in all of my ways. It keeps me at peace on this narrow road. Hallelujah Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen

(By Novella D Carpenter)