|
DATE |
CHURCH |
SUBJECT |
PREACHER |
BIBLE
REF. |
|
25.05.08 |
All Saints Church |
Justice and Beyond
Justice |
Tony Higton |
Lev. 19: 1-2
Matt 5: 38-60 |
|
Sex is an important subject because it deeply affects the
lives of individuals and families, and therefore society. I
myself for 14 years campaigned on various subjects including
sexuality (but I am not a single issue person). But sadly the
church does sometimes seem to have a fixation on sexuality,
particularly homosexuality.
However, the great biblical prophets and teachers tended to
major on issue of justice. This is the case in today’s reading
from Leviticus. God is a God of justice who hates injustice. An
important subject for Christians is therefore:
Justice
The passage teaches that there should be:
No stealing
"Do not steal” (verse 11). This does not simply mean not
breaking into someone’s home and stealing their goods. It
includes more “acceptable” and “respectable” activities like
appropriating what doesn’t belong to you, fiddling accounts, tax
etc. These are sinful practices.
No lying, deception,
defrauding (neighbour or employee)
"Do not lie. Do not deceive one another. Do not swear falsely
by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.
Do not defraud your neighbours or rob them. Do not hold back the
wages of a hired worker overnight” (verses 11-13).
Again, this includes more subtle wrong behaviour, such as
achieving benefits by dishonesty or getting out of trouble by
lying.
No partiality
"Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor
or favouritism to the great, but judge your neighbour fairly”
(verse 15).
In issues of justice we are to be as objective as possible,
not showing partiality or favouritism to the rich and powerful,
to friends or to family.
No slander
“Do not go about spreading slander among your people” (verse
16).
This is even more relevant to Christians. Slander, negative
gossip, running people down behind their backs will do far more
damage to the church than sexual misbehaviour because it is far
more widespread and, sadly, quite acceptable to many
Christians. But to slander someone –even in ways which are less
serious than could lead to legal action is to practise injustice
against them. And God hates injustice.
Proverbs is characteristically blunt about it: “Whoever
conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool” (Prov
10:18). Similarly, St Paul puts slander in the same category as
sins which everyone would regard as serious. “Or do you not
know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not
be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor
adulterers nor male prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals nor
thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor
swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor 6:9-10).
People who practise such things will not enter the kingdom of
God.
No resentment or revenge
“Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your
neighbour frankly so you will not share in their guilt. Do not
seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people,
but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD” (verse
17-18).
Feeling resentment or bearing a grudge is often a secret sin,
but it is strongly condemned by God’s law. It is also profoundly
unhealthy and can be described as emotional or spiritual cancer.
Justice is fundamental to the nature of God and so it is
fundamental to his law for us.
However, in today’s Gospel reading, Jesus takes us:
Beyond Justice
Jesus says:
Love your enemy
Jesus says: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your
neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your
enemies” (Matt 5:43-44).
What does this mean? It doesn’t mean that you have to like
your enemy or approve of his behaviour. It means wanting the
best for your enemy and seeking to control your thoughts, words
and deeds so that they serve that purpose. This requires the
Pentecostal power of God’s indwelling Spirit – the Spirit of
Christ.
Pray for enemy
Jesus continues: “Pray for those who persecute you” (verse
44).
This is one of the most helpful and practical ways of
controlling your thoughts, words and deeds so that they serve
the purpose of wanting the best for your enemy. Pray for him or
her.
Some years ago a group of Christians perpetrated a very major
and serious injustice against me. They have never put it right.
I was praying for them daily: “Lord, bring them to repentance.”
But, for some reason, I felt uneasy about that prayer. Then I
started praying: “Lord, let your blessing and protection be upon
them, and bring them to repentance.” I felt, and still feel,
happy about that prayer. Before I was praying rather selfishly,
that they would benefit me. But now I am praying first for God
to bless and protect them.
Greet your enemy
Jesus then said: “If you love those who love you, what reward
will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if
you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than
others? Do not even pagans do that? (verses 46-47).
There really is no place in Christianity for the childish
practice of ignoring people or “cutting them dead.” One should
show courtesy, kindness and concern. This is part of loving your
enemy.
The reason for loving your enemies is that God loves them. He
loves his enemies too, and sometimes we behave as if we were his
enemies. We are called to “be children of [our] Father in
heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and
sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (verse 45).
We are called to the way of love: to love God with all our
heart, soul, mind and strength and we are to love our neighbour
(even our antagonistic neighbour) as ourselves. |
