Tuesday, October 27, 2009
justice
What is it? In light of the cross, doesn't justice equal grace for us as Christians? Not to say there should be no consequences for sin, especially on the bigger levels (county, state, federal). But on an individual level... if someone wrongs me, isn't the way I should handle it as a Christian to extend grace, forgiveness? Wouldn't that be radical if we did that?
It reminds me of the story in one of the gospels about this guy is forgiven his debt, yet turns around and demands repayment from the other guy. He who has been forgiven much loves much, right? So, I have been forgiven SOOOOOOOOOO much, so shouldn't I be all the more loving and turn to those who have wronged me and forgive them?
In God's ways, grace is what changes lives, not punishment. So what if the change we see in lives in prison is only second best? What if we extended grace to the criminal? Not just let them off. But let them know the price has ultimately been paid for their sin by Jesus on the cross, let them know that we forgive them. What would that do to our society?
Again, I don't know that this should be implemented above the personal level. It seems to me that that would lead to chaos if there were no worldly justice. But if unforgiveness is unhealthy, wouldn't abundant grace not only be possibly transforming for the one who committed the wrong, but also freeing to the one doing the forgiving?
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I think you're right about how grace, not judgment is what changes lives. Judgment is reserved for Christ to apportion to those who have refused his grace and cannot partake the new spotless creation. But yeah, there's a big difference between grace as an individual lifestyle and grace as a public policy. Punishment can help teach people who are naive about the consequences of their actions. If you try a policy of not punishing a child, you will later have an adult who spits on grace. Similarly, Paul advocates church discipline, the "handing over to Satan for the destruction of their flesh." In other words, putting them out of fellowship, in hopes that they will one day be restored. Judgment for lesser crimes can help an individual understand the meaning of grace from Christ, because they grasp that they don't deserve forgiveness for their rebellion against him.
ReplyDeleteAnd maybe sometimes consequences are a form of grace, because as you said, leaving a child unpunished for wrong will lead them to think that we might as well sin all the more since grace abounds. But this is obviously a wrong interpretation, as Paul says that is complete heresy. So then the question would be how to we punich in a way that is full of grace? How do we not let someone off, but at the same time let them know that we forgive them and their sin is ultimately paid for, if they would only believe upon Him?
ReplyDeleteAnd also on the level of sin in ourselves and how do we deal with that? Because it says there is such a thing as Godly guilt, but there is no place for shame... so how do we endure the consequences of our own sin while simultaneously offering ourselves that grace and forgiveness that Christ offers us.
Now I'm just rambling trandom houghts...