Do Justice and Forgiveness Work Together?

Many of my thoughts over the past few months or so have been on justice. How many of you have watched the nightly news and seen horrific stories about people being victimized, harmed and even killed? It is absolutely heartbreaking! How many of you have seen a loved one treated in such a horrific way? Maybe even you have been that victim or even still are. So here is the problem I have been wrestling with, how can justice and forgiveness work together? Is it even possible? I want to be a forgiving person but I also want justice especially when it comes to those I love and have seen abused. Most of the time if I could be honest, I would like those who have caused such pain to feel that very hurt and then some. I’d like for them to have the payment due to them, to be punished. How is it that so many here in America and in other parts of the world get away with causing such destruction? Some never pay anything for what they’ve done. This is a hard, hard reality. This whole justice thing is a difficult one and I find it all the more difficult when forgiveness is involved. As I was praying about it, I was reminded of some very important things;

- Most people long for justice not because we are good in ourselves, but because we were made in the image of the One who is just. God’s character means he always acts in a way that is just and granting justice is an extension of his character. We should long and work for justice and most of us do. Whether you are a believer or not, most of us long for things to be right. We hate being hurt, we hate others being hurt, we long for something better, and we long for justice. This is the reason why!

- Justice is better given by someone who is just (one who is guided by truth (or in fact is truth) and whom is righteous). I don’t know about you, but I would not consider myself just. I have been forgiven and justified (because of Jesus love and sacrifice for me) but I am still in a process of being made right. So the way I carry out justice may not always be just or right even if that is my intention. I am grateful for those who lead in government, church and other areas of life, but even when justice is trying to be served, it can be very flawed.

- It is humanly impossible to carry out complete justice? We are not all knowing, so there are always things we do not see (details, the entire story, motives, what has been hidden).

- There is perfect timing for prefect and complete justice to be carried out. I don’t know about you, but I’m a little bit impatient with this. I want it to happen now. I’m learning that it doesn’t always work as fast as I want it or in the way that I want it. God justice is already at work but I believe we will see it all the more when Jesus returns.

-GOD is the only one who can bring complete justice because He is the righteous, merciful and gracious judge. He allows many an opportunity for repentance. He is all knowing which means when he does carry out justice, He will be 100% fair and right. His timing is spot on! Don’t be mistaken, that day will come, but God in His infinite love, is giving time to everyone to ask for forgiveness and turn our hearts toward Him.

So has my question be answered? Is it possible for forgiveness and justice to work together? Absolutely yes! Seeing God’s plan shows me the answer is a big YES! God will carry out justice in the most perfect way, but today is the day of the LORD’s favor. Today He offers forgiveness. His arms are opened for anyone who genuinely comes to Him for it, no matter what the crime.

So what am I to do? What are we all to do? Forgive! God says if we don’t forgive, we will not be forgiven. There is a lot at stake here, and there a lot of questions that I still have, but we will work through these together. So many times, I’ve wanted swift judgment for others, but mercy, grace and definitely forgiveness for myself. It doesn’t work this way. I must be forgiving and gracious to others who are seeking and needing it. I must be merciful and I must trust God to carry out justice in His perfect way and timing!

In part 2 of this blog I will be sharing a true story of a young woman who forgave the man that destroyed her family. How only in God’s strength was this made possible. It’s a journey I’m sure that she would never want to relive, a journey where justice was the cry of her heart and a journey that brought her healing.