MINISTRY//Dealing with injustice

An unexpected conversation took over one of 316NOW online gatherings recently. One of our students poured out his frustration that his family had lost its house. The government seized the property for its own building project. The unfairness of that was compounded by the low-ball settlement the government provided.

Mark 12:41-44 was the Scripture the group was studying. That's the story of the poor widow who gave the last of her money as an offering. Jesus explained, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others."

A lesson in justice

Usually, when we teach this Scripture, we focus on the generous, grace-inspired giving of the widow. But 316NOW's study leader brought out another truth that is here. That truth focuses on why we Christians can be at rest when we deal with life's injustices. He says,

I tried to help all of the fellowship members to realize, according to the Bible, justice is real and God will judge perfectly. His judgments are not based on what human eyes can see. Just like in Mark 12, Jesus always knows exactly what is happening.

Most people in the Temple with Jesus judged the large donations rich people gave as the most generous. Jesus knew the truth. When we face injustice, our Savior also knows the truth and he will respond accordingly. We can rest in his justice because we rest in his forgiveness. In fact, it's that rest that empowers us to live a righteous life rather than respond in anger.

What you can do: Injustice is a fact of life in a sinful world. It happens to Americans. It happens to Chinese. Talk to someone today about resting in the assurance that, because of Jesus, God will bring about justice for them. Pray that Chinese Christians find the same assurance.