Righteous, Just, Holy

"You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice; nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his dispute." -Exodus 23.2-3

Following the instruction to be holy men, God gives more guidance on how to do that, aside from throwing meat that has been torn to pieces to the dogs. Here the people are told not to follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall they testify on the account of something that prevents justice. Holy men do what is right at all times, not just when it's popular. Holy men, always seek justice.

As I read these words I keep hearing Liam Neeson say the line to the left from Kingdom of Heaven, "Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth, always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath." That is how holy men live.

But there is more to holy living than simply doing what is right and protecting justice. Holy men don't show partiality to the poor man simply because he is poor. If his position is just, then stand by him, but don't stand up for him simply because you feel sorry for him. The holy man allows acts in behalf of justice.

Men, are you striving to be holy? do you boldly stand up for what is true instead of what is popular? Do you live righteously and honestly no matter what the cost may be? Do you stand up for those who need help regardless of their social status? God has called you to be holy, let us strive to do what is right.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Justice or Revenge

"Now it came about on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came upon the city unawares, and killed every male. They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem’s house, and went forth. Jacob’s sons came upon the slain and looted the city, because they had defiled their sister. They took their flocks and their herds and their donkeys, and that which was in the city and that which was in the field; and they captured and looted all their wealth and all their little ones and their wives, even all that was in the houses." -Genesis 34.25-29

The daughter has been violated. The father has failed to act. The sons have stepped up to fill the void. But their desire for justice turns into all out revenge, and with revenge many innocent end up suffering. Justice would have been making Shechem face judgment, but Simeon and Levi take it too far, and slaughter an entire city. Then the other brothers come and loot the city.

Men, there is a big difference between justice and revenge. Justice is served on behalf of the wronged in order to allow all to live together in society. Revenge is based on hatred and has a desire to make someone pay at your own hands. One of them can be done righteously, and the other pulls us off of the path to Christlikeness.

Revenge comes easy. In our world justice is so easily corrupted. The rich can buy off a judge (yes it happens) and the poor are left to themselves. Revenge is something we take into our own hands to make sure the offender pays for what they did. Revenge cannot be corrupted because it already corrupt.

Do you seek justice or revenge? The follow up question, which one requires a man? Justice is standing up for the wronged, and seeking to make society possible. Justice stands up for the truth, revenge seeks your own satisfaction. Justice protects the innocent, revenge hurts the innocent with the guilty. Justice is worth fighting for, revenge is something we should flee from.

Which do you want to pursue?

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor