We could do a study on this and take hours to figure out what is clearly evident, and that is that Jesus was neither a socialist, communist, or capitalist. He simply loved people with the same love that He saw in His Father.
One of the most powerful stories that I have ever read on social justice, or any justice for that matter, is a story that Brennan Manning wrote in his book "A Ragamuffin Gospel." Indulge me for a few lines as I share this story.
Mayor La Guardia, mayor of NYC during the time of the depression was a very flamboyant man who was known to wear a big sombrero and a carnation. He would often take kids in an orphanage out to ball games.
One night, he walked into the courthouse of one of the poorest districts in NYC and relieved the judge of his duties and took his place. One of his first cases was a woman who was caught stealing bread from a local shop. When the Mayor asked the woman why she stole the bread, she simply explained that her daughter's husband had left and their children were hungry. Mayor La Guardia then asked the shopkeeper if he would drop the charges, to which the shopkeeper replied that he would not because the woman broke the law and if he let her go, others would feel that they had the right to do it. The Mayor turned to the woman and told her that he could not change the law and that her fine would be $10 or ten days in prison. As he said this, he took $10 out of his pocket to pay the fine. He then proceeded to hand his sombrero to the bailiff and told all those who were in the courtroom that he was fining each of them 50 cents for allowing a woman in New York to go hungry. The Mayor received a standing ovation and then he then handed the money to the woman.
The Law demands that we are all punished. Justice demands retribution. The shopkeeper was afraid that grace would run rampant. Now there's something for the church to ponder...grace running wild. God's justice ran wild when Jesus died on the cross. The full penalty was paid and He received the full justice for all of our sins. We can't demand justice any longer because justice is not ours to demand. We can only demand the full grace that God offers to us. Jesus said that He did not come to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it. The Law is fulfilled through Grace.
So, instead of social justice, let's proclaim grace to those around us. Do I get ticked off at people and things...more than you know. However, when I allow God's grace to become clear, I realize that I need to do what the King of Love has instructed me to do...love those who hate you, love those who use you, love those who step on my justice and offer them the grace that was so freely given to me.
When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. And what a difference between our sin and God's generous gift of forgiveness. For this one man, Adam, brought death to many through his sin. But this other man, Jesus Christ, brought forgiveness to many through God's bountiful gift.---Romans 5:12,15 NLT
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It is ironic you would use an example such as that. Just last night, I caught a women stealing a can of Axe body spray. To make a long story short, after I did what I had to, she takes a Bible out of her purse and starts reading it. Right there in front of me, she repented and asked God to forgive her. Unfortunately I was not able to just allow her to leave, but I did let her know God does forgive and we all make stupid mistakes and that I am also a Christian. So hopefully it made a difference in her life. Sometimes people need to suffer some consequences to help them remember to never make that mistake again. By the way, she did have the money to pay for it. I don't know if this really has much to do w/ the original post, but the quoted portion of that book made me think about it.
Hey Fishinfool! That is rather ironic that you would have such a similar example.
Let me say that I don't believe that we should always just let people go when in this situation. If the woman had the money to pay for it, then what was her motive for stealing unless she had some other problem.
I do believe that we should give mercy the first priority. Sometimes that means letting others suffer the consequences because it does teach them the lesson. I think you handle it properly given the fact that it was your job and you didn't have that decision to make.
I'm reminded of the words of a prayer that Habakkuk made to God. In it, he asks God "In your anger, remember your mercy."
Then on to what Jesus said when the woman was caught in adultery..."Go and sin no more." He showed mercy, but He also made it clear that she should not do it again. I don't think she did, but what would Jesus have done if she did? Any speculations?
Looking back over the years of my Christian life, I would have to say He would have forgiven her again and encouraged her not to do it again. It seems I make the same stupid mistakes over and over again. It reminds me of the verse about the sin that so easily entangles us. Maybe the entangeling sin for that women is shoplifting. Who knows for certain. I do believe though, that everyone of us has that sin in our lives that keeps repeating itself. It is kind of like a bad rerun on TV. You know the one that everytime you turn the television on, there is that rerun. Then I am reminded of what the Lord said to Paul about how His grace is sufficient and how His power is made perfect in Pauls weakness. I am paraphrasing. By the way, I could have allowed her to leave. I do have the power to release someone. Although it very much depends on the circumstances and as you said my job is to look out for the best interest of the company.
Does anyone else have any thoughts about this?
"Never look for justice in the world, but never cease to give it"- O Chambers.
Yea "fish" I believe I would have done as you did with your situation. But I do wonder how I would treat a friend or family member if I caught them in the wrong. Im quick to say if someone I knew committed murder or such I would turn them in. But any lesser of a crime Im not sure what I would do but when we do turn away from what we know is wrong we are hurting that person even more. I know Jesus told the lady "go and sin no more" but He knew her heart as well as the hearts of her accusers. And thats something we never know when we have to make such a decision. Its much easier to wear the WWJD then to live it. As for "that sin" you mentioned that is so true perhaps "stealing" is this ladys addiction/pet sin and as you said we all struggle with the same thing. I remember years ago when quite a few TV evangelists got caught in their sin. Tony Campolo said the only difference between them and us is that they were caught in their sin. In closing if you happen to read these blogs and have yet to read the Ragamuffin Gospel, PLEASE go do so ASAP. It will open your eyes/heart to see theres a part of a ragamuffin in all of us. And Jesus loves the ragamuffin (and may I add yes he even loves those that think they have it all together).
I love this truth! I was just hurt recently by someone in my family. I was so angry but reading this helped me realize that I have done the same things to others ....Grace is powerful. I don't think I really understand it or "get it". But what we do need to know is to ACCEPT it (Him). Then once we accept and give it back, then maybe we do understand. I guess Serving God isn't an emotion, its a decision. Powerful-thank you!
Selah I often think about what I would do if I caught a friend shoplifting. I like to think I would not treat them any differently than I would any one else. I do not know for sure because I have never had the opportunity. Thinking about it, I would probably be even more angry with a friend who would come to my store in knowing what I do there and take something. I might just have them arrested and be done with it. I don't know if I would be friends with them any longer. Boy that sounds like it is full of grace doesn't it? I guess it is a good thing that Jesus sees things a lot differently than what we do. I think you hit the nail on the head. We don't know anyone else's heart. I think that is why I treat everyone exactly the same. To me I am just doing my job. There is nothing personal in it. (Except for maybe with a friend) I have been known to tell shoplifters from time to time that the only difference between them and me is the type of mistakes we make. I can't reiterate it often enough, we all make mistakes, yes sometimes even willingly. So here is another question. If we all make mistakes and God tells us to be perfect as He is perfect, where does that leave us?
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