The events that have taken place in the United States in recent times have shaken people. We realize that injustice is truly present in society. Judgments, convictions or even trials sometimes give the impression of an unequal, almost dual system. I'm talking about the United States' legal system here, but you and I know that wherever we are, the system tends to favor one social or ethnic group more than another.
Often when we hear “Christianity” or “Jesus” we think of the Western religion, the way in which the religion was spread and the different systems that have been established over time and on which they they rest. This is partly what we blame the current president of the United States among others, which causes many controversies. So, based on these facts and the problems they pose, let's go back to biblical basics about a subject that is shaking the planet: justice. Some will tell us that citizens rising up to do justice is not normal, that not to confront is to sit while waiting for things to happen is the most normal thing. To be very honest, this is the way of thinking that I had for the majority of my life. I suffered and saw injustice without wanting to act or tackle the problem, even with those I considered close friends. And then I turned to God. I gave my heart to Christ, and I realized that God is a just God. He never endured injustice, nor even encouraged it. I posted a verse from Isaiah 1:17 a few weeks ago, which talks about speaking up for those who cannot. Now, I don't want to make you believe that this is the only time the Bible tells us about our responsibility in the face of injustice. We can first think of the story of the wicked judge. If you don't know this story, let me explain it to you. You can also find it more complete in the Bible in Luke 18: 1 to 8. To put it simply, it is the story of a woman, a widow, who found herself in conflict with people. When she went to seek justice from the judge, the judge refused her. It was through insistence that she got what she wanted. Jesus added at the end of this story: “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” ” (Luke 18: 7-8). We see here that the one who suffers from injustice should in no case remain silent in the face of those who persecute him, but on the contrary seeks to obtain what is due to him. In addition, Jesus affirms here that God will do justice to those who cry out to him. This allows us to see how the underdog must respond to injustice, but also to know that God is the Just Judge, the One who will not fail. But, while this is important to note, it is also notable that it does not address our responsibility as witnesses to injustice. So let me share with you a few verses that show the call that God makes to us:
These three passages are examples which command the judge and the citizen to enforce justice. I invite you to search for others if these are not enough for you. So, without supporting violence, here is my conclusion: I have no right to remain silent in the face of injustice, in the face of discrimination and differentiation. This is not what the Bible commands me to do. So, if my words are not enough, I suppose that I will have to take actions, at my level. Using what I know and have to reach and impact those around me to enforce what the Bible tells me to use. Wishing you a blessed week, I hope to see you when the next article is published, Do
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I learned to be grateful. God showed me that He is in every blessing, good thing that happens. Or at least that, when they come from Him, I can be grateful for them, because they only can be good to me and to those around me. Of course, He also is in the outcomes out of the hard times, and helps me through them. But today, let me share with you a short testimony of what He can do: small things in my life.
A few months ago, I was hanging out with a friend. I hadn’t seen her in months and we had a lot of things to catch up on. As we had lunch and talked, I began to share with her my testimony, or I would better say “testimonies”. Just several parts of what God did in my life. And honestly, when I look back on them, I can only say how happy I am to be able to share them openly with anybody. Here’s why : God has done so many wonderful things in my life! And I simply want to share it to the world so it can discover the grace He offers us. So… I told her about many times in my life when I decided to submit my life and my decisions to God and prayed before doing anything. And I told her how much God was faithful and answered my prayers. After lunch, when we asked for the bill, the waiter told us somebody paid it all for us. My friend and I had a strange reaction as we were both really surprised. However, here are two points that I realized:
I believe that when you are willing to do good to people and to testify of God’s goodness, God will give it back to you in a way or another. It all comes out of love, and believe me, I am not looking for these blessings. Doing everything I can with a sacrificial love, I get to see Him in every possible way. And in these small things in my life. To wrap this article up, note that 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (KJV) and I believe that this is the main point of this whole day. When we posted this on our stories, another of my friends responded “Praise God!”, and honestly, I couldn’t have said it better than that. The point of this message is to encourage you to seek God in every small thing you can receive. I know that God is the God of great miracles, but He also is the God who supports us, and shows us His blessings during times that are more quiet, and still. I don’t know if there is anything you can take out of this more than an encouragement, but I think that was the main point. With all of these thoughts just written down this way, I simply wish you a blessed week Do |
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November 2021
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