Justice, Pt 11: Becoming Just
Read this Teaching Recap
We are nearing the end of this year’s series on Justice. We have learned and discussed. We’ve learned that justice is a dominant theme in the Bible and that justice is about more than fairness, that it’s more closely connected to the concept of “fixing.”
In Exodus we saw that justice has a goal: To eliminate barriers and foster environments where people can be live life as God intended, having relationships marked by honor and dignity, meaningful work, economic security, rich multigenerational family life, and freedom to worship. In a word, Shalom.
In the Prophets we learned that the aim or call to justice tilts toward those in power. That those with power and privilege are called to use what they have for the sake of those with less—for justice and flourishing. In Acts we saw that the focus of the early church was to embody the justice of God in their own community life together, especially when it came to their stuff, so there would be no one in need.
This series has been slow on purpose. The purpose and hope was to immerse us in the Bible and to fire up an imagination for justice, not based on liberal or conservative, but based on Word and Spirit.
So we have learned and discussed, but as Micah 6:8 reminds us, justice has an active quality—it is something you do. So where do we go from here? What should we do?
1) Self-Assess: The prayer, “Search me O God,” is the prayer of someone who has been freed by grace and from the need to self-justify (Psalm 139). We have put together a guide of questions as a starting point (refugeabq.com/becomingjust). Consider going for coffee with someone or scheduling time with a few trusted members of your community and doing this self-assessment.
2) Continue Listening and Learning: Begin intentionality pursuing people in order to learn from and listen to them. Get to know your neighbors. Get to know, from their vantage point, what are the obstacles keeping them from living life as God intended (Shalom). Go first, take risks, be brave, have the awkward and uncomfortable conversations. And keep reading (see the book list online, refugeabq.com/becomingjust).
3) Take Action: Using the values of Justice & Mission at Refuge as a guide and filter (Contextualization, Mutuality, Wholistic), prayerfully discern where God may be inviting you to adjust your lifestyle and schedule to incorporate regular acts of justice into your life. Bless a neighbor through Change for a Dollar, get involved in Shine, or commit to praying for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. Find a full list of our recommendations for action at refugeabq.com/becomingjust.
Together we pray, “May your kingdom come on earth as in heaven,” expecting God to, slowly over time, make us the type of people who live this prayer from our hearts, with our hands.
Do this Practice Tonight
Reflection.
Take a moment to consider the following questions. This time is less for discussion and more for sharing words or phrases that surface, listening to one another, and sparking our imaginations.
What words or phrases have been stirring within your mind, keep appearing, or staying with you from the series on Justice?
What ideas or actions continue to resonate? How might God be leading you to respond, learn or listen more into justice and/or shalom?
Discussion.
After hearing the Justice & Mission values and some of the initiatives, recommendations, and future dreams for action, spend sometime with one or more of these questions:
Thinking on mutuality: “We have something to learn from each other, not just offer. God has something to teach us. Our discipleship is tied to those on the margins.” How could your neighbors or others be participants in your discipleship?
Which one of the three main ideas from this week’s teaching do you sense God drawing you toward (Self-Assess, Continue Listening and Learning, Take Action)? Why do you think that is? Is there something practical, specific, and actionable you are feeling led to do in response?
How can prayer move us, unite us, and open us up to becoming people of justice and Shalom?
Prayer.
Offer a reading of Micah 6:8 aloud before praying:
He has told you, O mortal, what is good,
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice and to love kindness
and to walk humbly with your God?
Allow the Spirit to lead you as you pray for one another, and our communities locally and globally.
Practice for the Week
As you spend time with the Lord this week keep in mind the ‘slow work of the Spirit’ and what God is doing within your own heart, mind, body and soul. Consider sitting with one question from each section of the questions offered in the sermon (refugeabq.com/becomingjust), asking the Lord what He wants you to notice or learn about Him, and yourself. Journal as you listen and wonder with God.
If you can, share this time with a companion whom you trust to walk with you in loving obedience and accountability.
