The Pursuit of Justice
I was reading yesterday's section from My Utmost For His Highest this morning and began contemplating an important principle that could radically alter society if we took it seriously. Oswald Chambers encouraged his readers to "never look for justice, but never cease to give it."
I almost passed right over that without so much as a second thought, but was taken aback by its simplicity, yet is profundity. What would happen if each of us began to take seriously those words? Living in an entitlement society, it is hard to even fathom.
The American welfare system has produced generations of people who are in great need, but have no idea how to get out of the mire in which they find themselves. They are largely denied the tools and the incentive needed to succeed. Instead, they are provided a "hand out" that keeps them going until time for the next "hand out." It's what they expect; it's what society owes them.
The American legal system has produced generations who believe they are entitled to as much as they can get through law suits and frivolous litigation. If someone does the slightest thing against you, whether that be a dent in your fender or a denial of your "civil rights," take them to court and squeeze as much out of them as is possible. It's your right!
The American economic system has produced generations who believe that to get more and accumulate the greatest amount of wealth is the height of virtue. Sometimes that can only happen by cutting edges, cutting costs, cutting services, or cutting benefits. But to get the most possible is your right...live and let live...the one with the most toys wins. Justice? Sure...it's my right.
I'm just musing out loud right now, really. But I just wonder what would happen if each of us, regardless of our particular nationality (as each tends to produce much of the same entitlements) determined to forego our "rights" in exchange for dishing it out to others as often and as much as we could. Seems to me that if each of us were seeking to demonstrate justice to those around us instead of seeking our own, we would inevitably find ourselves being treated justly, would we not? I believe that was the idea behind Jesus' instruction to treat others the way you want to be treated.
I admit that I am speaking in an idealistic way, though I assure you I'm not advocating the creation of some type of utopian society on earth. It cannot happen. However, if you and I could determine to adopt this type of attitude, there is no doubt that we could affect a large number of people around us and work against the tide of injustice we see everyday.
It starts with a mindset and determination to make the change. Maybe then real changes could be made to help those with little means to help themselves. Maybe then we would deny some of our own rights and comforts in order to support those individuals and organizations who are working hard at alleviating suffering for those most vulnerable in our societies.
I have to provide the context of Chambers' statement for those of you who are disciples of Christ. For us, it is not really even an option to do otherwise, though we often neglect this responsibility.
I almost passed right over that without so much as a second thought, but was taken aback by its simplicity, yet is profundity. What would happen if each of us began to take seriously those words? Living in an entitlement society, it is hard to even fathom.
The American welfare system has produced generations of people who are in great need, but have no idea how to get out of the mire in which they find themselves. They are largely denied the tools and the incentive needed to succeed. Instead, they are provided a "hand out" that keeps them going until time for the next "hand out." It's what they expect; it's what society owes them.
The American legal system has produced generations who believe they are entitled to as much as they can get through law suits and frivolous litigation. If someone does the slightest thing against you, whether that be a dent in your fender or a denial of your "civil rights," take them to court and squeeze as much out of them as is possible. It's your right!
The American economic system has produced generations who believe that to get more and accumulate the greatest amount of wealth is the height of virtue. Sometimes that can only happen by cutting edges, cutting costs, cutting services, or cutting benefits. But to get the most possible is your right...live and let live...the one with the most toys wins. Justice? Sure...it's my right.
I'm just musing out loud right now, really. But I just wonder what would happen if each of us, regardless of our particular nationality (as each tends to produce much of the same entitlements) determined to forego our "rights" in exchange for dishing it out to others as often and as much as we could. Seems to me that if each of us were seeking to demonstrate justice to those around us instead of seeking our own, we would inevitably find ourselves being treated justly, would we not? I believe that was the idea behind Jesus' instruction to treat others the way you want to be treated.
I admit that I am speaking in an idealistic way, though I assure you I'm not advocating the creation of some type of utopian society on earth. It cannot happen. However, if you and I could determine to adopt this type of attitude, there is no doubt that we could affect a large number of people around us and work against the tide of injustice we see everyday.
It starts with a mindset and determination to make the change. Maybe then real changes could be made to help those with little means to help themselves. Maybe then we would deny some of our own rights and comforts in order to support those individuals and organizations who are working hard at alleviating suffering for those most vulnerable in our societies.
I have to provide the context of Chambers' statement for those of you who are disciples of Christ. For us, it is not really even an option to do otherwise, though we often neglect this responsibility.
The Sermon on the Mount indicates that when we are on Jesus Christ's errands, there is no time to stand up for ourselves. Jesus says, in effect, Do not be bothered with whether you are being justly dealt with or not. To look for justice is a sign of deflection for devotion from Him....The most devout among us are atheistic in this connection; we do not believe God, we enthrone common sense and tack the name of God onto it. We do lean to our own understanding, instead of trusting God with all our hearts.Perhaps we'll never really change the world. Maybe we'll never see our societies really embrace these principles, but we could change our world. We can make changes so that the way we live our lives will make a tremendous impact for good in the lives of the people we come in contact with. And who knows, maybe it just might rub off a little.
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 6/28/2005 12:30:00 AM
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