“You shouldn’t fight. This is just our lot in life. You need to just accept that this is the way it is!” That’s what one woman was told in church after watching someone she loved die due to injustice.
“Well, you can fight and we can probably win, but it’ll cost you about twenty thousand in lawyer fees and they’re sueing you for sixteen thousand. I mean, how much is it worth it to you to be right?” said one lawyer to a man being wrongfully accused. The man chose not to fight and paid the money requested of him.
I like to think this stuff doesn’t happen, but it does. Sometimes, evidence disappears, with no explanation. People sometimes pay penalties for things they didn’t do, because it’s easier. Sometimes we fight. Sometimes we don’t. But we all deal with injustice and long for the day when the true judge will reign.
The Bible talks about justice. It also speaks to injustice. Jesus, who lived a perfect life, died a criminal’s death. He knows about injustice. He knows. “Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested” (Hebrews 2:18).
Jesus also doesn’t say we have to put up with it, just deal with it, love covering someone else’s sin. We’re allowed to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves (Proverbs 31:8-9).
Paul was often arrested in the Bible for preaching about Jesus. Paul knew the laws of the land and often used that to seek out justice for himself. After being wrongly treated one time, Paul spoke up when the authorities were in the wrong. “But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!”” (Acts 16:37). He spoke directly to the wrong that had been done to them. As a result, he received his escort out of prison. More importantly, the Word of God continued to spread.
On another occasion, Paul appealed to Cesar. “But Paul replied, “No! This is the official Roman court, so I ought to be tried right here. You know very well I am not guilty of harming the Jews. If I have done something worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die. But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar!” (Acts 25:10-11). Paul did not admit to a crime he hadn’t done just so he’d be let go. He didn’t cave to the pressure or to bribery. He stood firm for justice while still proclaiming God’s Word all the while.
In Proverbs, we read, “A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations. But it will go well for those who convict the guilty; rich blessings will be showered on them” (Proverbs 24:24-25).
While we definitely don’t want to point out every wrong we see, but when it comes to the law, we can speak up when we see injustice happening. The Bible encourages us to use our voice. The Bible supports justice.
Do you see an injustice today? Are you willing to speak up about it? Pray first, obviously. But then go in the Lord’s power, knowing the King of Kings is on your side.
PC: Sora Shimizaki
