Only God can bring justice to an unjust world

By Pamela Wilson

My husband and I were having breakfast with visiting family members recently when the subject of affirmative action came up. One family member stated that affirmative action is as necessary today as it was when first implemented. My husband and I disagreed.

While there’s no denying that there is a legacy of racial injustice in this country, the racial climate today is certainly giving minorities more opportunities than ever before. Continued use of artificial devices to bring minorities into jobs and educational institutions could lead to dependency on the part of minorities, and could cause marginal performers to be placed in slots that should be reserved for the best and brightest regardless of race.

I am amazed that so many black leaders still believe affirmative action is our recompense for the sufferings of our forefathers. What is even more astounding is that many Christian leaders also adhere to this belief, even as they call themselves people of faith.

Those who preach “I can do all things through Christ”(Philippians 4:13) and “We are more than a conquerors” (Romans 8:37) should teach dependence on God – not the government.

“For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: He puts down one, and sets up another.”  Pslam 75:6-7

This scripture says that God is the one that causes promotions and blessings and preferences for those who need them, and the removal of those who need to be moved. Can he do that through people and programs? Yes. But we have to be prayerful that we are not looking to these programs more than to God.

We also have to think about why we favor compensatory programs so much. Is it because we are still hauling around the burdens and injustices done to our forefathers? What a heavy load. Let it go. What happened in the past is not nearly as important is what can happen in the future. Besides, hauling around such baggage can cause us to become biased in our thinking toward others. Forget the past.

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.” Phillippians 3:13-15

Do you see what Paul is saying? All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. Maturity means letting go of the past, and not making of crutch out of things done long ago to people we never knew, by other people we never knew.

 And anyone who is a Christian should be mature enough to let the Christian agenda supersede the racial agenda. We belong to the family of Jesus Christ through acceptance of Him as our Savior. Therefore our brothers and sister are Christians - not those of our race. Jesus corrected someone about this very issue.

^“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. ⁴⁷Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." ⁴⁸He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" ⁴⁹Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. ⁵⁰For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

He didn’t even give blood relatives preference over those who do the will of God. It’s the same with us if we call ourselves Christians. Whoever does the will of our heavenly father is truly our brother/sister. That means whoever does not, is not. That’s why Christians should not desire programs that will enhance the status of a certain race. We should care about everyone, but the Bible tells us to have special consideration for other believers.

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10

Still wondering how you can gain favor in an unjust world? Turn to God through His word. Look up God’s promises for success, including the following:  Hebrews 10:23, 2Peter 3:9, Psalm 9:10, Proverbs 22:4, Dueteronomy 28:11-13, Ecclesiastes 3:13, Proverbs 8:18-18, Psalm 128:2, Psalm 1:3, Dueteronomy 28:2-6. Read them aloud and declare that each scripture applies to your life. The word of God is powerful and it does yield results. So, don’t put your hope in affirmative action, put your hope in the word in action.
 

While it may not be possible to perfectly reflect each of these characteristics every day, this should certainly be our goal. We should each be a tree that is always bearing the fruits of the spirit.