Pastor’s Devotional Blog

Pastor Vogel will regularly share a devotion for the Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran School community. These devotions will help the community stay centered in the mission of the school.

Justice and Love

Justice and love.  These are two things that just don’t seem to mix well.  However, they are both taught in the Scriptures.  God is most definitely a God of justice.  He DEMANDS that justice be done!  He has made His will known!  “Love God and Love your neighbor”…the two greatest commandments.  Those who do not follow this basic way of viewing life are missing out on true freedom…living as God intended us to live!  Those who ignore God’s will are taking part in the world’s rebellion against God…and the rebellion needs to be squashed!

Yet, at the same time, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.  God understands that we fall short of His will.  We ALL rebel against Him!  He knows that we continually fail, and therefore need His mercy.  Therefore, someone stood up and placed Himself between God’s DEMAND for justice….and our narcissistic refusal to listen to Him!  Jesus revealed God’s love (see 1 John 4).  Instead of squashing us and our rebelliousness, God took out His wrath on His own Son.

This is the paradox of the Christian life.  We are called to live according to God’s will.  As such, we are called to model ourselves after Christ.  We are called to love our neighbor.  This means that we are called not only to RECEIVE forgiveness, but to forgive others.  Why?  Because WE OURSELVES are sinful…yet we ourselves have been forgiven!  NOBODY is perfect.  Therefore, we are called to stand up and forgive the unforgiveable.  We are called to sacrifice our own selfish desire for revenge and punishment in favor of something much more difficult….mercy.  Yet, at the same time, we cannot ignore the reality that justice is sometimes necessary!  Sometimes, loving our neighbor INCLUDES allowing the natural consequences to unfold.

I think we can all buy into the “goodness” of love.  No one will argue the respect owed to someone who sacrifices their life out of love for another.

However, at the same time, it is important for us to remember that justice is not a bad thing either.  God’s law is good!  Sometimes people need to be hit with some consequences for their own good.  I would argue that GUILT is actually a good thing insofar as it drives us back to Jesus…and the peace that He offers.  Didn’t the Prodigal Son have to learn a hard lesson before He truly experienced his Father’s love?

Justice and love.  This is the paradox of Christianity.   Embrace it.  Struggle with it.  And when faced with difficult situation…look to God’s Word…and pray for HIS Wisdom to guide you.

Peace!
Pastor V.