Topical Bible: Injustice: Saints should Testify Against

◄ Injustice: Saints should Testify Against ►

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Injustice, defined as the violation of the rights of others or the unjust treatment of individuals, is a recurring theme in the Bible. Scripture consistently calls upon the faithful to stand against injustice and to advocate for righteousness and truth. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that encourage believers to testify against injustice, emphasizing the moral responsibility of the saints to uphold justice in society.

Biblical Mandate to Oppose Injustice

The Bible clearly instructs believers to act justly and to oppose wrongdoing. In Micah 6:8, the prophet declares, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" This verse underscores the divine expectation for believers to pursue justice as a fundamental aspect of their faith.

Prophets and Leaders as Examples

Throughout the Old Testament, prophets and leaders are depicted as voices against injustice. Isaiah 1:17 exhorts, "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." The prophets often confronted kings and leaders, calling them to account for their unjust actions and urging them to return to God's righteous standards.

Jesus Christ's Teachings

Jesus Christ, in His earthly ministry, exemplified and taught the importance of justice. In Matthew 23:23, He rebukes the Pharisees, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness." Jesus highlights that justice is a crucial component of the law, not to be neglected.

Apostolic Encouragement

The apostles continued this emphasis on justice in the early church. In James 1:27, believers are reminded, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." This passage calls Christians to actively care for the marginalized and oppressed, standing against societal injustices.

The Role of the Church

The church is called to be a beacon of justice in the world. Ephesians 5:11 instructs, "Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." This directive encourages believers to not only avoid participating in injustice but to actively expose and testify against it.

Practical Application for Believers

Believers are encouraged to be advocates for justice in their communities. Proverbs 31:8-9 advises, "Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy." This call to action is a reminder that the pursuit of justice is an active, ongoing responsibility for the faithful.

Conclusion

The Bible provides a clear and consistent message that saints should testify against injustice. Through the teachings of the prophets, the example of Jesus Christ, and the instructions of the apostles, believers are called to be champions of justice, advocating for the oppressed and standing against wrongdoing in all its forms.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 58:1,2
Do you indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do you judge uprightly, O you sons of men?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Micah 3:8,9
But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Balak's Inquiries Relative to the Service of God, and Balaam's ...
... it would be ill with him" "he should be undone ... that none who allow themselves in
injustice are the children of God "that all the saints will eventually ...
/.../sermon xviii balaks inquiries relative.htm

Extent of Atonement.
... as it was by his own voluntary consent, no injustice was done ... that he, by the grace
of God, should taste death ... died for the elect and for his saints, and then ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxvi extent of atonement.htm

Paul's Epistles; his Collection for the Poor Saints at Jerusalem ...
... "The poor saints" that were ... he could not be induced by them to act with palpable
injustice. ... to things which "Moses and the prophets did say should come;" [140:1 ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ix pauls epistles his.htm

Of the Necessity of the Wager
... should be joined to meanness is extreme injustice. ... their prophets, their doctors,
their saints, their monks ... if a God maintains Nature, she should testify to Him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section iii of the necessity.htm

According to which principle or hypothesis all the objections ...
... only died for him, and for the saints and members ... all the means of health, that
whosoever should perish, may ... no ground to say, That this were injustice in God ...
/.../proposition vi according to which.htm

Covenant Duties.
... pretensions as, rebellion against Him, and injustice and tyranny ... praise thee, O Lord;
and thy saints shall bless ... These should enter into a solemn profession of ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

Of the Beginning and Rise of the Romish Papacy, Till it Attained a ...
... is careful ever and anon to testify that he was ... limit, he does great and atrocious
injustice not only ... slayer and murderer of the saints, should be, nevertheless ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 of the beginning.htm

"The Eternity of Hell-Torments"
... argument urged, why God should reward his saints with everlasting ... will equally hold
good, why he should continue to ... all this, and think it no injustice in God ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the eternity of hell-torments.htm

Hebrews xi. 28-31
... us consider how great is the virtue of the saints. ... that what a man commands, Christ
should also? ... entreaty has overcome shamelessness, and injustice, and savage ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxvii hebrews xi 28-31.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... to the will of Christ and his saints who reign ... the whole weight of his invective
to bear against me from ... Indeed, I wonder that he should have chosen to make a ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /