It is both exciting and a little scary to think that God has chosen to work through us to bring justice and righteousness to the earth. This is, at the same time, a wonderful opportunity and an immense responsibility for the church globally.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NLT)

23 This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. 

24 But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!

God is not impressed by our wisdom, might and riches unless it is accompanied by loving-kindness, justice and righteousness. As we get to know and understand God more, hopefully, this knowledge leads to love which then leads to service.

God’s love working in us should always bring justice to our communities. Justice is not “just us” – it always reaches out to those on the fringes of society and seeks to include the rejected and the vulnerable.

Justice means that people get what they deserve, and everyone deserves food, clothing, shelter, health care and education.

Sometimes the social problems we encounter are so big that it is difficult to know where to start. Start where you are – in your community, your world. We may not be able to change the world, but we can change our world.

Justice is often progressive and begins as charity (giving someone a fish). It then moves on to empowerment (teaching someone to fish). Finally, it manifests as change in social structures (making sure everyone has access to the fishpond).

The opposite of poverty is not wealth; the opposite of poverty is justice.