The Justice Idol

I am a rule follower. I believe that if you don’t follow the rules, you deserve the consequences. I was the “you cheated” and the “you’re out because you didn’t follow the rules” kid. I am a justice seeker thru and thru. Because of this, it can be very hard for me when someone doesn’t get what they deserve. I can get worked up when people wrong others but aren’t held accountable. 

“You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

God just freed the Israelites from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. He was reminding them not to revert back to their old ways now that they were given new life. The Israelites struggled with idols. They had a longing for something physical to worship. These idols continuously tripped them up. 

We have an idol. Just like the Israelites, we have something that keeps tripping us up. Our idol is causing division among us. It is tearing apart friendships and families. This idol is causing us to lose sight of what is really going on. Our idol is justice.

Hop on Facebook or Twitter and you will see this idol running rampant. We are fighting for our causes so fiercely in the name of justice. We want retribution. We desire accountability. We want justice to be served to the point of annihilating relationships with the ones we love most.

I am a justice girl. I want to see all the bad guys, the offenders, the wrong-doers brought to justice. With all my heart I want this. But, I don’t want it so much that I lose my sight. Some of us are seeking justice and judgment so heavily that we have completely lost focus on what we are fighting for; our heart behind the cause. 

Justice is our idol.

When justice becomes our idol, it begins to create doubt: doubt in our world, doubt in people, and doubt in God. We forget that we live in a fallen world where justice doesn’t reign king. Sometimes justice wins. Sometimes it doesn’t. This doesn’t mean we don’t fight for it. It just means that we have perspective and remember who the true Judge is. Justice is hard to attain in a fallen society. Because of this, when justice becomes an idol and our idol doesn’t perform (just ask the Israelites how their idols served them), we become disappointed, disillusioned, and full of doubt. 

“But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously-take God seriously.” Micah 6:8

Here’s what I know about justice according to Scripture. We are supposed to live justly. That means our lives exude justice. We are kind, loving, and fair even when life isn’t. We are not judgmental and ready to serve others. Instead, we are full of grace and compassion even in the places where it isn’t welcome. We are humble not thinking of ourselves more highly than others. And then, we take God seriously and fully trust him. He is a God of justice. We allow him be the judge. 

Justice is a noble cause. People need help fighting for justice. We should never stop speaking up when we see injustice. However, justice can never become our idol. Our fight can never be overrun by justice. Justice will come as long as we focus on the true Judge.

Love & Blessings,
Meg