Does Justice Lead to Hope?

As I write this, the trial of Derek Chauvin is nearing the end. The closing arguments and the case was handed over to the jury on Monday. They came back on Tuesday with a guilty verdict on all counts. I do not know if you have been following it or not, but thousands of people have been hoping to see justice done and I believe the majority got what they wanted with the verdict. The problem is, there is probably a vast range of opinion on what will be just. My guess is some believe that second degree murder conviction is the only just end. Others probably think that any one of the options for conviction would be just and still, some believe the verdict should be not guilty and that would be the just result. I hope all of them will believe the jury will do their best to make their decision. I believe that they did. The problem is that no matter the outcome of the trial, will justice really be completed?

If I look at the death of George Floyd and the days shortly following it when in cities across the nation there were rioting, looting, and killings occurring before the verdict of the State of Minnesota vs. Derek Chauvin was even decided. The owners, 1,500 plus properties, were destroyed or damaged in Minneapolis alone and will not get justice. The thousands of people that lost their jobs because their places of work were destroyed, some of which are not reopened and may never reopen will not receive justice. The thousands of people who lost their ability to walk to get their groceries, who now have to pay for transportation to get their groceries, will not get justice. The taxpayers of Minneapolis will not get justice because the costs of rebuilding city facilities will have to come out of their own pockets in the form of taxes.

The only hope for justice is in God and God alone. I do not know how justice will come to all who have been affected by the tragic death of George Floyd accept by depending upon the justice of God. Scripture is clear that I am not to take justice or vengeance into my own hands. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” (ESV) Romans 12:19 If rioting or insurrection ensues after an event it is man trying to take vengeance upon the wrong doers. As we see in this case there are a lot of innocent people affected by the acts of vengeance that occurred.

If I am not supposed to take vengeance into my own hands but leave it to God, how do I know that justice will be done. “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,” (ESV) Acts 10:34 “since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you,” (ESV) 2 Thessalonians 1:6 and “For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.(ESV) Colossians 3:25 No matter what happens to you me I know that God will take care of it and He will do it justly.

In fact, God has already taken care of true justice for all that we have done and all we may do He has sacrificed His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ to pay for all of our transgressions in the past and into the future. Jesus has taken our punishment upon Himself so that just could be done on our behalf. All we need to do is accept His pardon that was paid for on the cross. 2 Thessalonians 5:21 says “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (ESV)

So, God’s justice has been or will be satisfied. It will be satisfied in the future when all the world will be judged. It was satisfied on the cross by the death of Jesus who became sin for us. So, if you believe in Jesus All of your wrongs have been justified If not you will face a final judgment. It is your choice. I hope that you choose Jesus.

If you have not read my previous blogs you can find them here.

You can find my book, Hope Amid Hopelessness: Our Abba Father Provides a Way Through Mental Illness here.

eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazonor Google

eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazon or Google