Healing the Wounds of Injustice – Part 1

Introduction

What do we mean by injustice?

• The opposite of justice.
• “Justice is the. . .idea
  • “that people are to be treated impartially, fairly, properly, and reasonably by the law and by [people who settle legal disputes]” {Fairness}
  • “that laws [must make sure innocent people do not experience harm]” {Protection}
  • “that [when people claim harm has happened, there is an intervention]” {Responsiveness}
  • “[that] the accuser and the accused receive a morally right consequence [based on] their actions” {Reciprocal}
• • Romans 2:14–16 (ESV) – ¹⁴ For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. ¹⁵ They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them ¹⁶ on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
    • God’s moral law is written on the hearts of every person (even those who are not believers in God)
    • Our conscious says “amen” to what’s right
    • In essence: you don’t need the Bible to know right and wrong
    • Then why do we need the Bible, Salvation and Christianity?
      • Our conscience can be seared
        • 1 Timothy 4:1–2 (ESV) – 1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, ² through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

You strengthen your conscience when we honor its boundaries.

You weaken your conscience when we dishonor its boundaries.

• • • • Our natures are sinful
        • Romans 7:15–20 (ESV) – ¹⁵ For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ¹⁶ Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. ¹⁷ So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. ¹⁸ For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
      • Our flesh is weak
        • Matthew 26:41 (ESV) – ⁴¹ Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
      • The enemy is actively working against you
        • 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) – ⁸ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
      • The world is a strong draw
        • 1 John 2:15–16 (ESV) – ¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

What do we mean by wounded?

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV) – ²³ Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Job 9:17 (ESV) – ¹⁷ For he crushes me with a tempest and multiplies my wounds without cause;

Wounded: Wounds to the soul caused real or perceived injustice

What do we mean by healing?

2 Corinthians 8:5 (NIV) – ⁵ And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

Defer to the Kingdom in your experience of injustice.

Genesis 50:15–21 (ESV) – ¹⁵ When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” ¹⁶ So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ¹⁷ ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.” ’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. ¹⁸ His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” ¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? ²⁰ As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. ²¹ So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

• Healing comes from your submission to the wisdom of Jesus.
  • Hear and obey

© Joshua D. Smith, Ph.D., 2023