We Want Justice
I know you have heard people say, “We want JUSTICE!” You have probably said it yourself at one time or another. I get what they mean, but what they want and what they need are two different things. Justice goes hand in hand with judgment, and they have no heart. It is pretty easy to judge people these days. We can judge people on their race, their religion, their lifestyle, their work, their politics, what they own or don’t own, and even what they say. The list is pretty endless. Why do we do it? Because we CAN. It is easy to sit in judgment of other people, and let’s face it, sometimes it is even fun…particularly at Walmart. LOL.
Here is the problem: What we want is justice, but what we need is grace! Nobody is perfect. We all live in glass houses and have no right to judge others. In fact, Scripture tells us that we will be judged by the same measure that we judge others. I am not talking about our elected judges. They are part of our legal system to help us keep civil order. I am talking about you and me. None of us can cast stones at one another without some repercussions. Judgment is getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we don’t deserve!
When I was growing up, there was a courtroom drama called Perry Mason. It was a great show and well scripted. The main character, Perry Mason (played by Raymond Burr), showed how justice was served in a good way. We have come a long way from those days. Now we have Judge Judy and Better Call Saul. Judge Judy is known for sizing up someone in a matter of a couple of minutes and handing out justice. There is no grace in her courtroom. On Better Call Saul, Saul Goodman (played by Bob Odenkirk), the law is shown to be inadequate, unfair, and Saul is the master loophole finder. He can take a good law and twist it like a pretzel to his advantage. It is entertaining television…and yet discouraging to think how true to life this really is.
We want a fair and equitable judgment when we have been the victim. There is nothing wrong with that…but life is not always fair or equitable. That is why we need grace. Grace has a partner, and that is mercy. They don’t go anywhere without one another. They are filled with love, compassion, understanding, and forgiveness. They are the perfect prescription for what ails the world right now. We want justice and judgment, but what we need is grace and mercy!
I have been guilty of being judgmental at various times in my life. It is not something I am proud of, but I have asked God to forgive me for it and help me to see people through HIS eyes…with love. Jackie DeShannon wrote a beautiful song many years ago and the lyrics go like this:
“What the world needs now, is love sweet love.
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.
What the world needs now, is love sweet love.
No not just for some, but for everyone.”
Grace and mercy are gift wrapped in love! That is what we all need now.
Shalom!
Daniel Skognes