In a broken world, the clash between justice and injustice is everywhere—on the news, in our communities, and sometimes in our own hearts. As Christians, we’re called to pursue justice, reflecting God’s righteousness, yet we live amid systems and choices that often fall short. What does it mean to stand for biblical justice when injustice seems so entrenched? Let’s explore this tension through real-life examples and see how faith guides us forward.
Justice: God’s Standard in Action
Justice is at the core of God’s character. Micah 6:8 instructs us, “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.” Justice isn’t just punishment—it’s making things right, aligning the world with God’s design.
A powerful real-life example is the work of Bryan Stevenson, a Christian lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. Since the 1980s, Stevenson has fought for wrongfully convicted prisoners in the U.S., many on death row. His book Just Mercy recounts the story of Walter McMillian, a Black man unjustly sentenced to death in Alabama in 1988 for a murder he didn’t commit. Through Stevenson’s relentless pursuit of truth—rooted in his faith—McMillian was exonerated in 1993. This is Christian justice: defending the oppressed, as Psalm 82:3 urges, “Uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.”
Injustice: The World’s Broken Way
Injustice, though, is the shadow we can’t ignore. It’s the fruit of sin, twisting what God intended. Isaiah 59:9 laments, “So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us.” We see it daily—systems favoring the powerful, voices silenced, mercy withheld.
Consider the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar. Since 2017, over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled genocide—burned villages, mass killings, and systemic persecution. Despite international outcry, justice remains elusive; perpetrators face little accountability. This is injustice in the world: a stark reminder of humanity’s fall, where power tramples the weak. For Christians, it’s a call to grieve with those who suffer (Romans 12:15) and to act where we can.
Real-Life Crossroads: Abortion and the Injustice of Lost Lives
The clash between justice and injustice often crystallizes in deeply personal and societal issues, like abortion. In 2022 alone, the Guttmacher Institute reported over 930,000 abortions in the U.S.—a number that signifies an injustice against the unborn. Scripture affirms life’s sanctity from the womb, as in Psalm 139:13-14: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Each terminated pregnancy, then, is seen as a silencing of a God-given life, defenseless and voiceless.
Take the story of Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director who left her role in 2009 after witnessing an ultrasound-guided abortion. Seeing a 13-week-old fetus recoil from the procedure shifted her view—she called it an injustice she could no longer ignore. Now a Christian pro-life advocate, her experience echoes Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” Abortion, in this light, isn’t just a choice—it’s a moral crossroads where the vulnerable are denied their first right. For believers, it’s a call to grieve, pray, and work for a world where justice embraces both mother and child.
A Christian Response
So, where do we stand? Justice isn’t optional for believers—it’s a command. Yet, Jesus warns us not to seek it vengefully (Matthew 5:38-39). We’re to pair it with mercy, trusting God as the ultimate Judge (Romans 12:19). Practically, this might mean advocating for the marginalized—like Stevenson—or supporting ministries aiding orphans. Personally, it’s examining our own biases, asking, “Am I living justly?”
I’ve felt this tension myself. Once, I ignored a coworker’s unfair treatment because speaking up felt risky. Later, convicted by James 2:16—faith without action is dead—I advocated for change with the Management. It wasn’t perfect. It did not bring about the change I desired. However, it was a step toward reflecting God’s heart.
Prayer for Justice
As we navigate justice vs. injustice, let’s turn to prayer, seeking God’s strength and wisdom:
Heavenly Father, You are the God of justice and mercy. We lift up a world aching under injustice—families torn apart, voices unheard, wrongs unrighted. Give us courage to act justly, hearts to love mercy, and humility to walk with You. Comfort the oppressed, guide leaders toward righteousness, and transform us to reflect Your kingdom. May Your justice roll down like waters (Amos 5:24), and may we be Your hands and feet until then. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
What’s your story? How have you seen justice or injustice play out, and how has faith shaped your response? Share below—let’s spur one another on in this holy calling.
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