UNITY FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE

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.