“We were sure that we, and our civilization, had grown out of the nursery myths of God, angels, and heaven.” Peter Hitchens said those words in describing his younger years when he and his brother Christopher Hitchens, who would become an outspoken atheist, were moving from nominal faith to atheism. Peter ceremonially burned a Bible at age fifteen to declare his disbelief in God.
Later, in his adult years, Peter felt unrest in his soul. One day, while viewing Rogier van der Weyden’s painting Last Judgment, deep conviction filled his heart. The wrongs he’d committed and his rebellion against God required justice. That day, Hitchens began a journey into the arms of Jesus—seeing God no more as myth but as his Maker.
Peter Hitchens’ youthful view of God is nothing new. In 1 Peter, the apostle wrote to believers in Jesus who were considered “strange, superstitious, and disloyal to Roman society,” as one commentator puts it. Unbelievers stumbled over Jesus because they did “not obey God’s word, and so [faced] the fate that was planned for them” (1 Peter 2:8). What was it that pierced Hitchens’ heart? It was the truth that a just God must judge the world. He must turn to right the wrongs that have been committed against Him and others.
An innate desire for justice burns within our hearts. Why? Because we’re made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). And He has also provided the perfect path for us to move from being condemned because of our unjust ways (Romans 3:23) to being made clean by His mercy (1 Peter 2:10). As we trust in Him and His ways, God removes our disgrace (1 Peter 2:6). “Through the mediation of Jesus,” our lives can be made to please our just God (1 Peter 2:5).
The justice we seek reveals He’s no myth.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 2 Kings 11:1-21
More:
Read Deuteronomy 32:4 and consider God and His just ways.
Next:
What recent injustice done to you or others filled your heart with the desire for justice? Why must God judge His enemies and make things right?
sandy229 on April 26, 2017 at 12:04 am
1 Peter challenges us to live godly lives, even in the midst of trial, suffering, or persecution. Circumstances do not affect godly principles for living. Whether you are being loved or cursed, you are to bless. Whether you will be embraced or persecuted, your life and testimony are to witness to the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Consistency in godly living, despite circumstances, is the true test of growth in godliness. Let your life witness for Jesus, regardless of circumstances. Understand that suffering is part of the Christian life. Study Jesus’ responses to suffering, and follow His example.
Tom Felten on April 26, 2017 at 8:10 am
Well stated, Sandy. Suffering is something none of us desire, but it’s something our Savior embraced as He fulfilled His life mission. May we be willing to do the same.
sandy229 on April 26, 2017 at 11:10 am
Yes, I pray that I may be willing to always be a witness for Jesus, no matter what circumstances I may face. Thank you Tom for your encouragement.
Gary Shultz on April 26, 2017 at 4:49 am
Hi Tom: Like this new comment format, it seems like injustice, but I guess it’s just change… We certainly don’t have to look very far or search for injustice, we have been told it will come. It will come because we live with sin natures and a world bent that way. We live with injustice because God told us the world hates Him, resulting in ill feelings toward anyone or anything that reflects our Lord. So buckle up, it’s part of the ride, not that it is more enjoyable; however, we can anticipate and grasp these things better. How God’s heart must break as He sees what we do, and how cruel intents are toward the innocent. God will not tolerate or perpetuate this circus of sin we see each day. He can not and still be God. God has something much better in mind, something holy, perfect, and just. Those things must end in the reward earned for sin and injustice. Thank God, Jesus opened a way for all to to escape judgement by His sacrifice for our sin. Thanks Tom
Tom Felten on April 26, 2017 at 8:19 am
Love the way you write, Gary. Your word choices are priceless. When you said, “So buckle up,” my thoughts went to Ephesians 6:10-19. Praise God for spiritual armor we can put on and for His presence in our lives. He hasn’t left us unequipped to face challenges to our faith.
conmeo on April 26, 2017 at 7:04 am
Thanks Tom, The thought of desire for justice burning in our hearts is all too true. The recent desire for justice in my heart has been an unreconciled broken relationship. The pain of loss, conjured up accusations, denial and unresolved anger turned toward me and conversely inward on each other holds us up to the judgement of God Himself. I have been praying for this person regularly and after weeks that burning desire is beginning to lift. I pray for the good that comes to both us through Jesus, for this other person and admit to Him that in my carnal way I don’t really want the same things for this person that I want for me. Over time the Holy Spirit has begun to lift the desire for justice and makes me realize that I do in fact want for them the same I want for me….Jesus the rock to stand on. Father, have me no longer stumble.
Tom Felten on April 26, 2017 at 8:22 am
Thanks so much for sharing, conmeo. A broken relationship is such a painful thing to endure. I’m praying for reconciliation for you and the other person. May God be glorified in how you persevere in this situation.
Monica Brands on April 26, 2017 at 8:27 am
Thanks for sharing, conmeo. Yes – although our longing for justice is God-given, I find that sometimes it’s hard to distinguish between a desire for true justice and anger / a desire for retribution / revenge. God’s heart is fully committed to both restoration and real justice, something we often struggle to relate well; we either rush to restoration and neglect justice, or we let our desire for justice eliminate the possibility of future restoration. Thankful for the Spirit guiding us in God’s ways!
conmeo on April 26, 2017 at 3:14 pm
Thank You Tom for your prayer, if it is God’s will I am confident it will be done. I know in this turmoil The Lord is carrying the burden. And thanks to you Monica, I certainly had the desire for retribution and revenge and will continue to pray for forgiveness and my eyes to be open to His desire in this. John 1: 9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I pray for restoration to God’s ways.