Enduring injustice – an indication of spiritual maturity

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“But my soul shall rejoice in the Lord and be glad in his salvation; all my bones shall say, ‘Who is like you, Lord? You who deliver the poor from those who are too strong for them, and the poor and needy from their plunderers’” (Psalm 35:9-10).

No one enjoys suffering injustice, not even Christians. It is a state that deeply repugns us as human beings and that we try our best to avoid. Yet, from God's perspective, suffering injustice is a special privilege. Not because God tolerates injustice, but because in this particular case, a person is closer to God's blessing than in any other situation. Provided, of course, that the person bears the injustice with humility and trust in God.

For our generation, suffering injustice is seen as something inevitable, something generally avoidable. For decades, we have been accustomed to the idea that in our constitutional state, no one should or must suffer injustice. This shapes how we interact with one another and our view of injustice in society. We are used to everything that happens being comprehensible and justified. We therefore possess a strong sense of justice and know our rights. Often, however, we are unable to recognize our own behavior and the injustice we have committed as such.

We can endure injustice if we are completely convinced that God himself is above all. He is a God from whom nothing escapes, who will uphold our righteousness and our justice in His time.

The coronavirus pandemic has shaken our understanding of right and wrong insofar as cherished assumptions were called into question overnight. Contact restrictions, limitations on attending church services, the wearing of face masks, and much more, represent a perceived injustice for us. Our very being, our inner "self," rebels against this perceived injustice.

Given all this, the question arises: how did our grandparents manage to maintain inner peace during a dictatorship, despite the massive and real injustice amidst a terrible time of hardship and deprivation? What helped them to hold fast to their faith? Consequently, we must ask ourselves what we might be lacking today when unrest and fear, mixed with incomprehension, increasingly take hold in some Christians. The right attitude toward injustice, based on the Word of God, helped our brothers and sisters in faith back then. It can also help us today to draw a source of blessing from every injustice permitted by God.

I would like to elaborate on four points in this context.

1. In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul clearly states what we are dealing with in this world: “ For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms ” (Ephesians 6:12). A realistic view of this world protects God’s children from disappointment and bitterness when the causes of injustice and wickedness are recognized in time.

Essentially, it is seeing with spiritual eyes a constant struggle that remains hidden from our physical eyes. It is the ability to see in those who wrong us not a specific person, politics, or society as a whole, but the one who exerts this evil influence on people. Human beings are and remain merely instruments. Ones that either allow themselves to be used by God or open themselves to the influence of this very evil, invisible power. David knew very well why Saul wronged him so much. Namely, because Saul was rejected by God and thus gave the evil spirit the opportunity to possess him.

Sometimes we are wronged even by people very close to us. The reasons for this can be varied. If I resist, it merely reveals my own pride, which still holds sway within me. However, if I am able to accept the injustice done to me, I am filled with the deep peace of God and empowered to help the one who wronged me.

If we find it difficult to bear the injustice done to us, it is often only because we see ourselves as the focus of these attacks.

2. Another aspect that gives us the strength to endure injustice is that we focus solely on Jesus and not on the injustice itself. King David, a man after God's own heart, is a prime example of this. His constant focus on God was very characteristic of him. Throughout the entire time David was persecuted by Saul, he remained true to this principle. David was convinced that nothing escaped God's notice and that He Himself would bring an end to the undeserved injustice.

Job, too, followed this principle of life. Seemingly abandoned by God, misunderstood and slandered by his friends, Job uttered these words: “ But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the last he will stand upon the earth ” (Job 19:25). Do we today also possess this firm confidence that God is above all and that nothing happens without His will? All the events that befall us serve our good! Do we believe this? Without any bitterness, any unrest, and no peace in our hearts?

3. The third point is the one that probably demands the most strength from us in practical implementation. Every personal injustice, hostility, misunderstanding, or even malicious act usually triggers a counter-reflex within us. After all, it's about our honor and the respect for our person, which must be defended. Often, it depends on the position we currently occupy in this world. If we have much to lose and therefore perhaps think highly of ourselves, we feel that we must stand up for our rights. However, in this starting position, it is almost impossible for us to tolerate injustice in any form.

The Apostle Paul already had to address the church in Corinth with words of admonition: “ Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? ” (1 Corinthians 6:7). But this will only succeed for us if we are completely convinced that God himself is above all things. He is a God who misses nothing, who will bring our righteousness and our justice to justice in His time.

Joseph endured much suffering and injustice in his youth and serves as a living example from the Word of God: the jealousy of his brothers, the slander by Potiphar's wife, and the cupbearer's ingratitude after his release from prison. Despite all these events, Joseph was always aware of God's presence. Ultimately, this was also the reason why, despite all the difficulties, Joseph exerted a special fascination on those around him. This was likely one of the reasons why Potiphar entrusted Joseph with almost all responsibility for his household.

4. The fourth point reflects the ability to be comforted by God's Spirit. David's story of suffering up to his coronation as king is full of contradictions and anxieties. David expresses himself in Psalm 35:7: " For they laid their net for me without cause; they dug a pit for my soul without any foundation. " In this difficult situation, David seeks comfort and strength in God and is certain of God's presence and compassion. This unconditional trust in God gave him perseverance and courage for a long time.

In addition, there is a remarkable characteristic of David: despite the possibility of self-defense, David leaves the entire matter to his almighty God. Ultimately, it is a battle that Saul wages against God himself. David is merely the projection screen onto which Saul has direct access. We often have similar experiences when we encounter people who, for inexplicable reasons, rebel against God through their behavior. Their resentment and hatred are often directed against those who stand for the beliefs and values against which these people's anger is directed.

When we find it difficult to bear the injustice done to us, it is often only because we see ourselves as the target of these attacks. In such moments, it is naturally a matter of our honor and dignity. What we fail to understand is that every injustice directed against us is a direct attack by the enemy on God. Instead of giving God the opportunity to defend our rights, we take matters into our own hands. In doing so, however, we forfeit God's blessing. Let us remember the words of Jesus: “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth ” (Matthew 5:4-5).

Eduard Vetter,
Municipality of Bremen-Vahr

Bible quotes follow, unless otherwise stated.
Marked, the Luther translation of 1912.