Justice?

Do you want Justice?

Good luck with that. 

Think that’s nuts? Let’s explore.

First, bring your understanding of Justice to the forefront of your thoughts. Second, check the definition: dictionary.com and Easton’s Bible Dictionary.

Most of us define Justice in the same manner as we define ‘right’ or ‘holy’. These are concept-things—ideas that are difficult for the human brain to describe much less fully grasp and yet a specific thing. We are much more able to identify instances of injustice than to define Justice itself.

Do the textbook explanations satisfy your understanding of Justice? Justice is so much more than “merely” enforcing laws or getting what we’re “due.” Thank God. Getting what is “due” is fine, of course, as long as such a notion is applied to everyone but ourselves. Do we really want what we deserve for every lie we’ve told, every little thing we’ve pilfered, every sneaky thing we’ve done? Every offense? Every hurt feeling we have ever caused? (Unless, what’s due benefits us somehow. At that point, we want what we’re due yesterday.)

Both definitions give a nod to equality, using the terms equity and equitable. Equality may be the biggest problem with human Justice. The Truth is that we do not want equality. Each and every one of us wants better for ourselves and equality for everybody else. Human beings have this need to be better than this one or that one, someone or anyone—to have worth. Worth is measurable and when our only comparisons are to each other . . .

Did you notice the glaring omission in both these sources?

Jesus told us the last will be first and the first will be last. For those who believe that Jesus is their Savior, these words are integral to understanding that full and complete Justice is outside of human abilities. Believers know that these words promise that at Christ’s coming His perfect Justice will reign—a succinct statement of our Hope and our prayer: Come Lord Jesus, come.

To those who do not believe in the saving grace of Jesus Christ, these words are a pithy reminder that life is not fair. Someone will always feel wronged—a revolution is coming. The oppressed will rise up and throw off their oppressors only to eventually become the oppressors themselves—history is replete with evidence from the Reign of Terror to the aftermath of Apartheid, from the Bolsheviks to the Maoists. Victims victimizing others is hardly Justice.

The victims. Where are the victims in the definitions above? Justice exists in this world because victims exist. Humans’ inhumanity to fellow humans has existed from the beginning of time. Justice, in full, makes the victim whole again and must offer the same to the offender. How are we to erase one’s victimization? Punishment is retribution. How are we to mitigate the effects of a punishment that we enforce? How can a victim be made whole if the offender does not have the opportunity to become whole? Justice does not, cannot, abide suffering in vain.

Human justice, civil and criminal, is incapable of making a victim whole again. Victim/witness advocates and therapy through the justice system are amazing at addressing the aftermath of victimization. Yet, assuaging the full trauma of victimization—filling the void of sacrificed innocence is beyond the scope of human justice. No punishment meted out can heal a human spirit.

Justice is woven into the tapestry of Truth by the threefold thread of repentance and forgiveness, mercy and discipline, grace and strength. Justice allows beauty to blossom from the good, the bad, and the ugly facets of Truth. Justice is a promise and a hope. Justice assuages the scars of sacrificed innocence and quells the turmoil of the offender. Justice is perfected in Truth.

The Truth is the equalizer: it bears up and it bears down. It is the same for the righteous and the depraved. It is Truth that no human influence can move. It is Truth that no amount of spinning or ignoring facts can change. It is Truth that guarantees that Justice belongs to every heart that beats. It is Truth that ensures the healing of every spirit—victim and offender.

Do you want Justice? Can you seek and speak Truth? Can you insist that laws are applied to—and abided by—all (including yourself) equally? This side of Heaven, that’s as close as we can come.

In Heaven the last will be first and the first will gladly be last. Justice is served.