I’ve listened to this sermon by Tim Keller half a dozen times and it still gets me every time.
It turns out that in the face of injustice or those we feel wronged by, protesting or filing for court isn’t necessarily wrong. Paul appealed to court. Jesus protested when he was struck.
What matters most is the heart in which we seek justice for ourselves- whether we do it with a passion of seeking it for the benefit of others or from a posture of indignation and self-justification.
If you’ve ever wondered how to respond to injustice done unto you….
Here’s sharing some of the gems I’ve learnt this week amidst the pain of being injured and feeling wronged and hurt—
1. Pursue justice with all your might. Do it without anger or vengeance. Do it, because others need to be held accountable. Do it, because even Christ had to pay a price.
2. Mercy only exists if justice does. You cannot exercise mercy unless you exercise.
And here’s what I found really mind blowing…
3. Forgiveness is a separate matter from justice/mercy.
Forgiving doesn’t mean we do not pursue restitution of justice or consequences for a wrong done.
Forgiveness is a destination we journey towards internally. In a friend’s words, it is not an overnight process, and not a switch that you can flip.
Forgiveness is not a linear process and that’s OK.
The most freeing thing I’ve heard all week is-
Don’t rush forgiveness. Give yourself grace. But intentionally, purposefully, journey towards it.
And continue to actively pursue justice from a posture of non-vengeance while you’re at it.
💛