True Justice

The word “justice” conjures up a lot of emotion and discussion these days, and there are always a number of buzzword issues to tie to the concept of justice. We hear about a lot of them in Cambodia.

Human trafficking is unjust.

Corruption is unjust.

Child exploitation, in any form, is unjust.

Ostracizing the poor is unjust.

Violence against the defenseless is unjust.

Letting evil actions go unpunished is unjust.

The list goes on and on, and in each generation, certain subjects are more popular, while others are less popular. More than that, subjects become more complex, leaving observers with more options (and confusion) about how to really deal with an issue. Some issues even get turned on their head, so that we no longer consider them to be unjust. All of a sudden you find people disagreeing on “justice issues.”

Which is a bit weird.

The fact that our list of issues grows ought to tell us something. The fact that we find ourselves disagreeing on which issues are more important and less important ought to tell us something. And the fact that we even disagree on which issues really are issues of justice ought to tell us something.

The something we ought to realize is that our understanding of justice is broken. Fragmented. Muddled.

Even sinful.

I don’t want to get into a lecture on ethics, or theories about what is right and what is wrong—and not because they aren’t important (they are) or because we shouldn’t talk about them (we should). But, for the believer, they are not of first importance.

The good news will always be our first step towards justice. If we begin anywhere else, we will form our understanding (and practice) of justice in accordance with the world.

Justice, according to the world, can rescue a trafficking victim out of slavery. But it cannot renew a victim’s spirit.

Justice, according to the world, can put an abuser in prison. But it cannot make the abuser repent.

Justice, according to the world, can shed light on exploitation. But it cannot reconcile the emotions of one who is exploited.

Justice, according to the world, can take vengeance against acts of violence. But it cannot teach the avenger to forgive.

Justice, according to the world, can abate a person’s state of poverty. But it cannot penetrate the poverty of a person’s heart.

Justice, according to the world, can bring relief to a person’s pain. But it cannot heal the disease of the soul.

But justice according to the good news sets out to free both the abuser and the abused.

It seeks to empower the offended to forgive and the offender to be forgiven.

And it desires to give them both a new name.

Worshiper. Son. Daughter.

True justice is not simply the end of evil. It is the making new of all its deeds.

-Ryan