Divine Justice and Forgiveness

Have you ever had the desire to get back at someone else? When people embarrass, insult, or humiliate us, our first impulse is often to seek revenge. We want the person to experience the same thing we did. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth! Most neighborhood disputes start this way and can escalate to the point where neighbors argue in court for years. The desire for revenge is understandable. Moreover, it seems like divine justice that a wrongdoing should be punished in proportion to its severity. However, this doesn’t mean we are the ones who can determine the appropriate punishment for any given wrongdoing. God is the only judge entitled to exact retribution. Our role is to forgive our adversaries.

Forgiveness is not in conflict with divine justice; rather, it is an essential part of it. It helps bring about God’s peace in our lives and relationships. Forgiveness allows us to let go of anger and injury and focus our gaze on God’s healing power, which brings about justice in ways we often cannot imagine (Isaiah 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19).

The tension between human justice and the Christian practice of forgiveness is often palpable. In challenging situations, such as severe wrongs or personal injury, the question arises: How can we forgive and still seek justice? This question is not easy to answer, as human justice is often focused on retribution and punishment, while Christian forgiveness is centered on mercy and restoration.

Jesus teaches us that forgiveness does not mean ignoring or accepting wrongs, but that we trust God to ultimately bring about justice. In Matthew 5:38-39, Jesus urges us not to seek revenge, but to turn the other cheek. This does not mean we are to be passive, but rather that we should pursue God’s justice in trust of His plan, while simultaneously practicing mercy and forgiveness (Romans 12:17-21).

Jesus is the ultimate example of balancing justice and forgiveness. Through His life and death on the cross, He shows us how to pursue justice while acting mercifully. Jesus, who prayed on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34), demonstrates how forgiveness is possible even in the midst of the greatest injustice.

Next Step: In what situations do you struggle with the tension between human justice and Christian forgiveness? Ask Jesus to grant you clarity and wisdom on how to resolve this tension in those situations.