<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Untitled Document • Justice
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
• I want justice.
• We want justice.
• How will we get it?

• Introduction
• In light of recent events, it is appropriate to devote our attention to the theme of justice.
• What is said herein is applicable during most cases of civil unrest.
• We will not dwell on the particulars of who perpetrated what against whom, or why; we’ll simply address the theme.

• CIVIL RIGHTS SHOULD BE ADVOCATED
• Acts 22:22-29
Paul once invoked his rights as a Roman citizen to spare himself from unnecessary harm.
• Acts 16:16-24, 35-39
On another occasion, the apostle had already suffered illegitimate oppression when he mentioned his civil rights, demanding a personal appearance from the magistrates before cooperating with them.
• Proverbs 29:2
It is appropriate to express disapproval with government corruption.

• AUTHORITIES SHOULD BE RESPECTED
• Romans 13:1-7
Despite the fact that Paul had suffered the violation of his rights on multiple occasions, he still insisted that governing authorities be submitted to because God has ordained them.
• 1st Peter 2:13-17
Peter echoed his fellow apostle, teaching that honor is owed to those in power. Accordingly, breaking the law must not be tolerated.

• RIOTS ARE INEXCUSABLE
• Ephesians 4:26-27, 31
Anger should be controlled.
• Genesis 6:11-13; Romans 1:30
Violence is unconscionable. It is the very reason God once destroyed the world.
• Exodus 23:2
It is stupid and dangerous to follow the crowd.

• RIOTS ARE INEXCUSABLE
• Acts 19:23-31--Scripture does record a riot occurring once in Ephesus.
• It was quelled through calm reasoning.
• The city clerk reminded the rioters that if their case was so obviously true, then nothing could successfully oppose it.
• He told the mob that if their case was valid, then the courts were the appropriate recourse.
• He further informed them that their gathering in such a fashion was, itself, illegal.
• Leaders like this man should apply the same rationale in modern circumstances.

• RIOTS ARE INEXCUSABLE
• Matthew 27:22-26; Mark 15:15
Unfortunately, few civic leaders are as wise as was the clerk in Ephesus.
• Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, was a coward, willing to capitulate to the bloodthirsty crowd.
• Fearing the tumult that was rising, he gave up Jesus Christ to crucifixion.
• This is the danger of a riot – that innocents will suffer, and not just directly at the hands of the rebels, but by the acquiescence of those charged with leading.

• CRIMINALS DESERVE PUNISHMENT
• 1st Peter 2:20
Those who have committed crimes have no reason to complain when they are punished.
• Acts 25:11
Those who haven’t perpetrated evil do not deserve punishment, but that possibility doesn’t make criminal prosecution invalid.
• Ecclesiastes 8:11
In fact, punishment against wickedness must be swift to serve as a deterrent for others.

• AUTHORITIES ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW
• Luke 3:7-14
When John preached repentance, sinners wanted to hear applications.
• Specifically, civil servants inquired about their own circumstances. Tax collectors were told to be honest, and soldiers were told not to intimidate.
• This very teaching implies there is a tendency on the part of those in power to abuse such power.
• Leviticus 19:15; Proverbs 24:23-24
Partiality must not enter into the administration of justice. Facts should prevail, not sentiment.

• AUTHORITIES ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW
• Deuteronomy 19:15-21
A guilty verdict requires the testimony of no less than two witnesses.
• It is a shame that crimes are prosecuted in modern times on circumstantial evidence, single witness testimony, or the testimony of so-called “expert witnesses” who are not “witnesses” in the strict definition of being “eyewitnesses”.
• In the event of false testimony, the perjurer must be sentenced to the punishment that would have befallen the accused.

• RACISM IS INEXCUSABLE
• Genesis 1:26-27; Acts 17:26-28
Because God made all men and women in His own image and likeness, it necessarily follows that every man and woman is deserving of the respect afforded their origin.
• God made us all of one blood, and simply expects us all to seek Him out.
• This is what matters – that we all search God out.
• Larry King—radio talk show host: “racism is dumb”.

• RACISM IS INEXCUSABLE
• Acts 10:34-35; Galatians 3:28
In Christ it matters not that we are of different races, cultures, genders, or socio-economic status.
• Having Christ in common is all we should care about.
• Acts 8:26-40
Notice that one early convert to the gospel was an Ethiopian.
• His skin had no bearing on his obedience to the gospel.
• Numbers 12:1; Jeremiah 13:23
Moses was in an interracial marriage.
• It upset his family, but they were wrong.

• JUSTICE WILL TRIUMPH IN THE END
• Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Regardless of what justice or injustice occurs under the sun, God will ultimately judge every secret.
• Romans 2:16
No one will get away with their crimes or any sins when Christ has the final say.
• 1st Corinthians 4:5
May we all rely on God’s justice to prevail.

• Conclusion
• It seems there is no end to those willing to cause conflict.
• Especially when it is underserved.
• There will always be agitators to provoke crowds to do things in the name of justice.
• A Christian cannot and should not participate in such actions.
• God will sort it out in the end.

By Carey Scott from an outline by Bryan Matthew Dockens

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