A Discussion from the Readings of:
Apologetics At the Cross, 2018; Chpt. 12; Chatraw D. Joshua & Allen D. Mark
When Jesus spoke of the beatitudes, He turned every act of seeking justice upside down. Instead of paying evil for evil, he said, do good to those who persecute you and say all kinds of reviling things against you. If someone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, give him your cloak (Matthew 5:38-48).
During times like these, it seems like our world is turning upside down. We face division in just about every community, even in the church, with concerns such as politics, COVID, and inequality. We have assumptions about our Christian brothers and sisters also causing division; we should know better, but we don’t seek the Lord who has all of the answers. It is the same as with non-believers who want to hear from the scientific community about the pandemic, politicians debate and blame each other’s parties about our crisis, and fail to seek God as the source of all things.
The story of Christianity is the same as was in the early church. New Christians dealt with similar situations, such as inequality; the Lord sent Moses to Pharaoh, and told him to let His people go from their captivity of slavery and bondage. Pharaoh refused so the Lord sent a pandemic, among other circumstances for his injustices (Exodus 5, NKJV). The Bible also tells us how to live amongst non-believers, but we can also minister to one another through word and deed. Often I need to be reminded of His love and forgiveness when I fail Him.
The Holy Spirit encouraged me with the word of God many times. Still, one comes to mind, Hebrews 12:22-24 ” But you have come to Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, registered in heaven. To God, Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant and the sprinkling of His blood, which speaks better things than Abel’s.
With this in mind, I can make an argument to minister to fellow Christians or someone who struggles with injustice, sin, and unforgiveness, and tell them about a God who judges all in righteousness. Satin is the accuser/prosecutor, and Jesus is our Redeemer, Mediator and Defender.