Justice to me is about restoring and redeeming what was stolen, lost or broken. If someone stole all my money, what good would it do me to put him in jail? I just want my money back. If someone raped and murdered someone I love, what good would it do me to kill him? I just want my loved one back, whole, restored, perfect.
We can only do so much in terms of human justice but I expect a lot more of God. He promised that in the end, He will restore all that was stolen, heal all that was broken. That is true justice.
If we truly believe that, then we can forgive, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile. Then we can love our enemies and bless our persecutors. If we don't believe that, then we will do ourselves an injury when we make ourselves forgive as we have been forgiven.
I suppose God would also require the wicked to repent. I don't particularly care. My victim impact statement would have been rather lame. "Everything's okay, your Honour. I have all that I used to have and more. I'm perfectly happy."
Brian McLaren in Generous Orthodoxy wrote that God saves by judging, forgiving and teaching. In that case, salvation is an ongoing process like our concept of sanctification. In fact, it might be wiser to call it sanctification because salvation, being born again and being saved have so much baggage. Or maybe it would be wisest to call it living with God. God is present in each of our lives, showing us where we are wrong (judging), bathing us in His Love (forgiving) and then showing us what is right (teaching).
Sorry are those who believe they are saved and will never come under God's judgment.
Sorry are those who know they have sinned and feel unforgivable.
Sorry are those who never heed God's direction.
Blessed are you who got caught in His fiery defining gaze.
Blessed are you who stopped, turned and fell into His all consuming love.
Blessed are you who survived to tell others about it.
We can only do so much in terms of human justice but I expect a lot more of God. He promised that in the end, He will restore all that was stolen, heal all that was broken. That is true justice.
If we truly believe that, then we can forgive, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile. Then we can love our enemies and bless our persecutors. If we don't believe that, then we will do ourselves an injury when we make ourselves forgive as we have been forgiven.
I suppose God would also require the wicked to repent. I don't particularly care. My victim impact statement would have been rather lame. "Everything's okay, your Honour. I have all that I used to have and more. I'm perfectly happy."
Brian McLaren in Generous Orthodoxy wrote that God saves by judging, forgiving and teaching. In that case, salvation is an ongoing process like our concept of sanctification. In fact, it might be wiser to call it sanctification because salvation, being born again and being saved have so much baggage. Or maybe it would be wisest to call it living with God. God is present in each of our lives, showing us where we are wrong (judging), bathing us in His Love (forgiving) and then showing us what is right (teaching).
Sorry are those who believe they are saved and will never come under God's judgment.
Sorry are those who know they have sinned and feel unforgivable.
Sorry are those who never heed God's direction.
Blessed are you who got caught in His fiery defining gaze.
Blessed are you who stopped, turned and fell into His all consuming love.
Blessed are you who survived to tell others about it.
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