THE FRUSTRATION OF INJUSTICE

Where is the Justice?

 The recent “not guilty” verdict in the Casey Anthony trial has outraged many people and caused tremendous frustration over what appears to be a lack of justice in the death of an innocent two-year-old.  There have been so many injustices in the day we live, from the judicial system to the political arena to the financial debacles, it has caused many people to feel that the world is out of control and no one is able to stop it.

Even when we look at the terrible earthquakes, tsunamis, and tornadoes that have cost the lives of thousands around the world, or the personal tragedies that many endure in their lives, it seems so unfair.  How many people have there been who have cried out to God for help and yet they did not survive?  This leads many to ask:  Doesn’t God care?  Why didn’t he stop this?  These people didn’t deserve this!

Does Evil Always Win?

At times it may seem as if the bad guy does win in the end, and the honest, hard-working person loses.  Is this what God wants?  Why doesn’t He fix the injustices now?

David the King and Prophet had the same questions, which he expressed in Psalm 73.  David was very frustrated at the apparent easy and enjoyable life wrongdoers were living, while those who were trying to be righteous seemed to have difficulties.

David said in Psalm 73:2-5, “But as for me, my feet were almost gone; My steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pangs in their death; But their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; Neither are they plagued like other men.”

David went on to say that God’s people were confused by what they saw going on and were questioning why this was so.  Psalm 73:11-14,  “And they say, How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High? Behold, these are the wicked; And, being always at ease, they increase in riches. Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocency; For all the day long have I been plagued, And chastened every morning.”

David wanted to believe God.  He wanted to understand why this unrighteousness was allowed to go on.  He ended his plea to God with a statement in verse 16, “When I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me.”  The injustice David saw all around him was too painful.  How many of us have those same sentiments in our hearts.

God’s Answer

After David poured out his frustrations and innermost thoughts to God, he received some answers.  Verse 18, “Surely thou settest them in slippery places: Thou castest them down to destruction.”  The remainder of Psalm 73 indicates that the evildoer will see destruction.  This poetic language indicates that God is not ignorant of what is going on.  He is not mindlessly turning His face and not dealing with these things.

No, God has a plan.  He is permitting mankind to experience evil, injustice, death, sorrow, and pain.  And there is a reason for it.  Ecclesiastes 3:10, “I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.”  The injustices and trouble are teaching mankind what the awful consequence of sin is.  God has stepped back and let mankind do their own thing, and as a result, we have a world out of control.  But, thankfully, God has made a provision to help bring the world back into His fold. 

Psalm 73 said that the evildoers would be cast into destruction.  But later in Psalm 90:3, we are told that those individuals who go into destruction will return: “Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye childen of men.  For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.  Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which growth up.”  Verse 14, “Oh satisfy us in the morning with thy lovingkindness, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”

It may be hard for some to accept at this time, but those who have done evil in this life are not going to an eternity of hell.  They are going into destruction – death – along with those who have tried to live upright lives.  Matthew 5:45, “For he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.”  And then all mankind will be raised to life in the “morning” of their resurrection.  Acts 26:8, “Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?”

Christ and his church (faithful Christians who will receive a heavenly reward) will teach all mankind God’s righteous principles which must be followed in his earthly kingdom.  And then all mankind, having full knowledge and a fair opportunity to know what is expected, will be on trial for everlasting life.  Mankind will also have the valuable lessons learned throughout the permission of evil to encourage them to follow Christ and his Church.

A Second Chance?

Some may still ask, Why should those who have done evil in this life get a second chance in Christ’s kingdom on earth?  That doesn’t seem fair!

Let’s take a moment to think about this.  First, each and every one of us are impeded by various obstacles, whether they be lack of intelligence along certain lines, physical or emotional handicaps, dysfunctions in our environment or family, chemical or hormonal problems, and the list could go on and on.  Do these obstacles free us of all responsibility for our moral behavior?  Of course not.  But they certainly are a factor in our character and actions.

Just as a parent of a handicapped child would not expect that child to do what they are physically unable to do and would have sympathy and understanding for that child, so God has sympathy and understanding with mankind.  When mankind is raised to life in the earthly kingdom, they will be given assistance and grace in the overcoming of their obstacles which have hindered them in the present life, and then with a full knowledge of God’s plans and purposes, they will be on trial for life.  That will be most people’s first full and fair opportunity to follow God, not a second chance.

Mankind’s judgment in Christ’s kingdom will be fair and just.  Mankind will, for the first time, be completely held responsible for their own actions.  Jeremiah 31:29, “In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.  But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.” 

Even for those who have done evil in this life, if they truly repented and changed their lives to live in accordance with God, wouldn’t we rejoice with them?  Instead of looking at their past, wouldn’t we be thrilled at their reformation?  Luke 15:10, “Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”  Ezekiel 18:21-23, “ But if the wicked turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his transgressions that he hath committed shall be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? saith the Lord Jehovah; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?

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Last modified: 06/11/11