WHAT JUSTICE LOOKS LIKE

“Even though you bring me burnt offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” Amos 5:22-24 NIV

“Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public.”

Cornel West

This is a word for white American Evangelical Christian today. They have aligned themselves with politics and those in power and have no concern for justice in America. You pride yourselves on your doctrine, worship services, ministries, buildings, stained-glass windows, organs, and mission programs while poverty rises, police brutality is blatant, masses are without healthcare, public schools are suffering, the criminal justice system is corrupt and American fails to deliver on its promises. You stick your chests out for standing against two sins—abortion and homosexuality as billionaires have gotten richer by $637 billion during the coronavirus pandemic kills hundreds of thousands and the basic minimum wage remains at $7.25 per hour.

What God sees in America in government, our criminal justice system, public schools, corporations, the economic system is not justice. And what He sees in your American Christianity is a lack of concern for justice. You tote your Bibles and love your political allegiance, with no love for the poor, black and brown Americans, or immigrants. Justice however looks like love!

Prayer: God you are not pleased with religious rituals, buildings, and expressions when there is no justice in the land. You are the God of justice. You care about people who suffer. Turn those who call themselves Christians toward Your standards of righteous living that demonstrates love for all people. Amen.

© 2020 Dr. John Ogletree – Houston, TX