Street Justice

Street Justice

Revelation 17: ¹⁵ The angel also said to me, “The waters you saw, on which the prostitute sits, are nations, peoples, races, and languages. ¹⁶ The ten horns you saw and the beast will hate the prostitute; they will take away everything she has and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and destroy her with fire. ¹⁷ For God has placed in their hearts the will to carry out his purpose by acting together and giving to the beast their power to rule until God's words come true.

 

¹⁸ “The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”

 

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After being robbed, I was shaken. I feared sitting in certain seats on the bus, or even going down certain streets. Someone said to me, “Don’t worry, those people who did you harm will face street justice.” In other words, someone will rob the robber.

 

• I saw “street justice” happen to thugs in my neighborhood.
• I heard about “street justice” happening to gang members.
• I witnessed thugs beating up the thugs who once bullied me.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, got another statement from the angel who took him into the desert. The angel explained that the great city that caused humans to sin, would face “street justice’ from the beast and from those who may be leaders of countries. Their jealousy of the power would cause them to desire to take down part of Satan’s kingdom.

 

My Observations:

• GOD will allow evil people to take down evil people.
• GOD wants my heart to remain focused on HIM and not return evil for evil.
• GOD does not want me to celebrate the demise of anyone, because it could happen to me.

 

“Turnabout is fair play” is a term that means, it is alright to do evil to someone who has done evil to me. But this causes a problem to the believe. I mean, the world may look away at my “street justice” BUT GOD will not look away. All my sins come with consequence. BUT GOD gives me a better way.

 

Instead of committing sin, GOD wants me to give my enemies over to HIM. “Vengeance is mine says the LORD, I will repay.” HE is sovereign and just to carry out what HE said HE would. HE sees the victim and the foe. HE knows who is the oppressor and listens to those who cry out to HIM. I give my enemies to GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does the angel remind the writer that the woman was the great city?
• Have you ever been wronged and wanted to do something wrong to “that” person?
• Will you give “that” person over to GOD so your conscience will be clean today?

Song of Unity

Song of Unity

Revelation 5: ⁹ They sang a new song:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
    and to break open its seals.
For you were killed, and by your sacrificial death you bought for God
    people from every tribe, language, nation, and race.
¹⁰ You have made them a kingdom of priests to serve our God,
    and they shall rule on earth.”

 

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Being called by a racial slur, made me want to fight. I figured, that intimidation would be the best weapon to make sure this offense would never happen again. I got a huge friend to go into the room with me as we faced the name caller and his 8 friends.

 

• I wanted to fight because of disrespect.
• I wanted to combat any racial inequality that existed.
• I wanted to make an example of the people who secretly harbored racism in their hearts.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard a song from the four creatures, who’s image he could not describe well and from the twenty-four elders. They sang a song that shows how much JESUS loves “every tribe, language, nation, and race.”

 

My Observations:

• JESUS did not die for one flag, rather all nations.
• JESUS loves people who do not look like me or talk like me.
• JESUS showed me the example I am supposed to follow, namely loving all for HIS kingdom purpose.

 

Unity seems important to GOD. I mean, HE gave a new command to follow which is “Love one another.” HE does not take this lightly. HE sees every tribe, HE speaks every language loves every nation and adores every race. Unfortunately, humans want power and seek superiority.

 

GOD has a new song that was sang about JESUS. HE overcame racism, sexism, ageism and any other “ism” to provide unity to the world. HIS love covers all our sins! We can rejoice with everyone who believes!

 

Challenge

• Does the song recorded by the writer sound joyous?
• Is there a race you would prefer to see placed over other races?
• Will you focus on loving one another just as JESUS commanded you so unity can be spread throughout the world through you today?

What Is Right

What Is Right

2 Thessalonians 1: ⁵ All of this proves that God's judgment is just and as a result you will become worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. ⁶ God will do what is right: he will bring suffering on those who make you suffer, ⁷ and he will give relief to you who suffer and to us as well. He will do this when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven with his mighty angels, ⁸ with a flaming fire, to punish those who reject God and who do not obey the Good News about our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and from his glorious might, ¹⁰ when he comes on that Day to receive glory from all his people and honor from all who believe. You too will be among them, because you have believed the message that we told you.

 

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“She hit me” I said in tears. When the teacher took away her toys, I felt vindicated. I began smiling. “What are you smiling about?” she asked as she took my toy away. “What did I do?” I asked. “Gloating over someone who is punished is not good either. Both of you need to make up.” was her answer. We made up and played together.

 

• I did not know I could be wrong while being “right.”
• I needed a higher power to intervene.
• I truly did not know what was “right.”

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy provide solace to those who were suffering because of their belief in JESUS. Their words of hope was to provide everyone fuel to endure persecution for their beliefs in JESUS. They also presented the “just” side of GOD that is difficult to hear. Those who cause suffering would have to deal with GOD.  But this was not a point to gloat over, rather a time of concern.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants all to be redeemed, so HE wants me to seek HIS salvation for me and for those who cause me pain or I cause them pain.
• JESUS will return someday and wants me ready with HIS love.
• GOD defines what is “right” and is just in HIS decisions.

 

“What is right” is difficult to swallow sometimes. I mean, I may think I am right when I am really wrong. BUT GOD has a way to clear up my confusion over what is right and wrong. HE made it clear that belief in JESUS makes me and you right. All have sinned and fall short of HIS glory. We could never reach HIM by our actions and would be destined to be separated from HIM throughout eternity.

 

HE is just and “right” in HIS decision and structures. HIS love is a redemptive love that endures forever. I am glad GOD is right and makes you and me holy because of HIS declaration.

 

Challenge

• How do you feel about the writer’s comment “God will do what is right?”
• Do these words make you want to get to know GOD or be upset with HIM?
• Will you see HIS love differently and know HE feels your pain?
• Will you allow HIM to bring you through your suffering by opening up your heart to HIM today?

Clear Conscience

 Clear Conscience

Romans 13: Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God's permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. ² Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment on himself. ³ For rulers are not to be feared by those who do good, but by those who do evil. Would you like to be unafraid of those in authority? Then do what is good, and they will praise you, ⁴ because they are God's servants working for your own good. But if you do evil, then be afraid of them, because their power to punish is real. They are God's servants and carry out God's punishment on those who do evil. ⁵ For this reason you must obey the authorities—not just because of God's punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.

 

⁶ That is also why you pay taxes, because the authorities are working for God when they fulfill their duties. ⁷ Pay, then, what you owe them; pay them your personal and property taxes, and show respect and honor for them all.

 

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Being stopped because of a burned out headlight seemed unfair to me, but it was the law. I explained that I was unaware and demonstrated it by turning on the high-beam lights. The burnt out one came on and the other went off. “Okay, you can go” they all said. There were four police.

 

• There have been times when I questioned the law enforcers.
• There have been times when I wondered if I was being singled out.
• There have been times when I felt relieved I was doing what I was supposed to be doing.

 

Paul speak about following laws of people who may not believe in JESUS as their ruler. He knows that no kingdom, good or bad, could be put in place without GOD’s authority. Paul also spoke about paying taxes to show respect. He knew there was something greater at stake.

 

• GOD wants me to know the ultimate goal is to spread who JESUS is.
• GOD knows I need freedom to present the gospel of JESUS.
• GOD reminds me that I am not of this world so even if scoundrels are flexing momentary authority, HIS authority should be my focus.

 

During these days of racial tension over the misuse of authority, I find the timing of this scripture to be amazing. Also, it is tax day in the country I live in so I find that equally amazing. But what am I to learn? Should I just roll over and let abusers continue with injustice on everything Paul mentions? No, but with a different focus.

 

GOD wants me to make HIM my focus. HE is in control of the abusers and HE protects me. Injustice needs to be called out, as long as the end goal is to speak about JESUS. Meanwhile, I will yield to the temporary authority humans have and show everyone the respect JESUS showed me.

 

• Are you mad at those in authority?
• Do you feel you should not yield to their authority because you do not like them?
• Will you see beyond temporary authority and let GOD provide the vengeance HE promised to the abusers while enabling you to continue to speak about JESUS?

Tell It

 Tell It

Acts 23: ¹⁷ Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” ¹⁸ So he took him to the commander.

 

The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

 

¹⁹ The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”

 

²⁰ He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. ²¹ Don’t give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”

²² The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

 

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“Don’t be a tattle-tale” was the unwritten code. In other words, when you see something that is wrong, don’t tell anyone or face the consequences. But when I saw a person I knew about to get beat up, I had to do something. I told on the bully.

 

• There were times when I had to tell someone about impending injustice.
• There were times when I had to stand up for someone who couldn’t stand up for themselves.
• There were times when I had to let others know about the disregard for another person.

 

Paul’s nephew informed him of the plot against him. Paul sent him to the commander to tell the details of the plot. The commander listened to Paul’s nephew and told him not to tell anyone he had reported this to him.

 

• GOD wants me to know I will be protected when I have to tell about a bully.
• GOD wants me to know HE sees the bully so I can have courage that I am doing the right thing when I inform others.
• GOD wants me to know HE does not take injustice lightly.

 

Standing up for someone is not easy. I mean, it seems like I would get in trouble if I told about abuse of power. BUT GOD wants me to worry more about following HIM than of the temporary power the thugs yield.

 

GOD’s power is everlasting. HE wants me to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. HE knows there will be some who will never turn to HIM. Some of those people may even try to recklessly harm others, not knowing their demise. I am grateful GOD enables me to stand firm because of HIS promises to me.

 

• Do you see injustice but are not doing anything about it?
• Are you worried about what others will think of you if you told on someone?
• Will you ask GOD for courage and protection as you speak on “that” person’s behalf today?

Equality

Psalm 58: ¹ Do you rulers indeed speak justly?
    Do you judge people with equity?
² No, in your heart you devise injustice,
    and your hands mete out violence on the earth.

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Twisting words is dangerous. What I mean is when someone spoke the truth, I took that truth and applied “my” truth to it making their whole statement invalid. My measure for doing this was the “Who are you” measure. The more “important” the person the less I asked “Who are you?”

• When I put people beneath me I ask in my mind “Who are you?”
• When I ask “Who are you” in my mind I put people beneath me or beneath others.
• When I think in terms of “level” or “expertise” then I put people beneath me.

“Level” is a corporate term that I learned to give a person a grade which affects their compensation, the better the performance the more the pay. Then I ran into places where I was told to hire or elevate a person regardless of their performance. I had to learn something different, “justifying my actions.” This justification led to twisting words which is a very dangerous place.

• When I seek superiority I am not seeking GOD.
• When I seek elevation I am not seeking GOD.
• When I seek to be placed above people I am not seeking GOD.

GOD saw that being “GOD” was not something to be sought, instead HE decided to become the most helpless thing on the planet, namely a human. The reason humans were so helpless was the fact that all were sentenced to be sent to Hell because all have sinned. Intellect could not save me. HE decided to lower HIMSELF, become one of us and to die in my place.

GOD says “do not think more of yourselves” to me. This means I must serve as GOD served me.

• Are you trying to elevate yourself?
• Do you think you “deserve” better treatment or more of something?
• Are you twisting someone’s words to get ahead or stay ahead?
• Can you lower yourself in order to have GOD raise you up HIS way?