Justice Matters
Posted on Apr 18, 2023 by Jon Brudvig
Have you ever had someone say, “Justice is too political, it has no place in church?” Sadly, political pundits and sensationalized reporting have created confusion regarding what the Bible says about justice.
The biblical witness is clear, God is “a God of justice” (Isaiah 30:18). And living in right relationship with God and with one another, proclaim the prophets, impels believers to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:1-8).
Justice is something we do, it is our response to living in right relationship with God, our neighbor, and God’s creation. Both Jesus and Israel’s prophets chastise the faithful for merely “going through the motions” of ritual observance. Proper worship of God, proclaimed Isaiah, continues into daily life when we “do good, seek justice, rescue the oppressor, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:17).
Jesus’ teachings and ministry also highlight the call to do justice, inviting followers to follow His example of caring for the poor, tending to the sick, and welcoming sinners and outcasts. “As you did it to the one of the least of these who are members of my family,” proclaims Jesus, “you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).
Lest we forget, the expectation to pursue justice is also woven into the fabric of our baptismal and confirmation liturgies when promises are made “to work/strive for justice and peace” in all the earth (ELW, 228, 236).
The Christian faith is not something confined to an hour or two on Sunday mornings. Rather, in the words of Martin Luther “faith is a living busy, active, mighty thing” that flows from our relationship with God. Faith is a response worked in us by the Holy Spirit to God’s saving activity and it is lived out in the daily ministry of all the baptized who participate in God’s mission of justice, peace, and the healing (Shalom) of God’s good creation.
If justice matters to you, please consider attending the upcoming Nehemiah Action event on May 2 at 6:00 p.m. at the Church of the Resurrection (13720 Roe Ave., Leawood). Uniting with Christian, Jewish, and Muslim congregations, we will add our support to the well-researched solutions to pressing community needs (ending homelessness, improving mental health services, and creating more affordable housing) that will be presented to state and local leaders in attendance. Together we will create a voice so powerful that it cannot be ignored.
For more information regarding the Nehemiah Action event, or to read more about the issue campaigns, please visit the following link: Good Faith Network.
In Christ’s Peace,
Pastor Jon