Preacher - Rev. T. Devaputhiran
21-01-2024 Morning
UNITY FOR JUSTICE AND
PEACE
Introduction
Significance of this day
Unity is uniformity Vs. United for a cause
Importance
of the three key words in the theme
Video
on the power of justice
Should Christians be involved in justice related
matters?
Yes, because God is
concerned about justice.
Supportive Bible
verses:
Gn. 4: 10 – the voice of your brother’s blood is
crying to me from the ground.
Gn. 18: 19 – I have chosen him, that he may command
his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing
righteousness and justice.
Ps. 89:14 – righteousness and justice are the
foundation of your throne …
Is. 1:17 – learn to do good; seek justice, correct
oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.
Amos 5:24 – let justice roll down like waters, and
righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Also see 8:4-6 and 2:6, 7.
What is Justice?
Definitions:
Fairness in the way people are dealt with; treatment of people in equitable or
fair way; genuine respect for people; impartial treatment.
Plato defined it as ‘everyone
having what belongs to them and doing what they are responsible for.’ ‘In other
words, a just person is someone who contributes to society according to their
unique abilities and receives what is proportionate to their contribution.’
Four types of Justice:
1.
Distributive justice: Fairness in what
people receive; receiving what they deserve. It ranges from goods to attention.
2.
Procedural justice: It means fair,
transparent, impartial procedure taken when serving justice. It includes
hearing from the accused too.
3.
Restorative justice: It means giving back
what one deserves or really owns, from a betrayer.
4.
Retributive justice: It means giving
punishment to the offender that aims to dissuade the perpetration of injustice
i.e. to prevent future wrong-doings. Sometimes it also aims to give
satisfactory peace to the victim and the family.
Social justice: Helping people to
have equal access to wealth, education etc. by giving certain privileges to the
oppressed and the poor
- e.g. Boys of different heights who want to
look over a wall to watch a football match – some need wooden stools of
different heights. cf. Dt. 15; Lv. 25.
Justice - Righteousness
What are the ways in which we can get involved in matters
relating to justice?
1.
Do not involve in unjust acts. Seek justice.
Phil. 4:8.
2.
Help people who suffer due to injustice.
Dt. 15; Lv. 25
3.
Raise voice against injustice in
appropriate forums. Amos 1 & 2.
4.
Get involved in projects of righteousness
and set things right. Rm. 6: 13 – present your members to God as instruments
for righteousness.
5.
Have courage to suffer while seeking
justice. Mt. 5:17.
Video on Prison
ministry by Cyril Prabhu.
