“God Hates Injustice”

The Topic for the Service of 16^th June 2013, at St. Margaret's UCZ Church- Kitwe was entitled:  “God Hates Injustice”.

Preacher:  Kelvin Mufwandi

Scripture Reading:   1 Kings 21: 1 - 10

                                   Galatians 2: 15 – 21

                                   Matthew 18:21 – 35

SERMON SUMMARY

The theme for our Service is “God Hates Injustice”.

Every day we see or hear of people offending others in many ways. Some of these cases end up in courts of law. Even the Judiciary systems has been affected with some Judges having  or are still going through fire by being accused of not meting out justice fairly.

The injustices meted out to media personnel, political opponents, women children and many others in form of harassment, beatings, and humiliations, molesting, etc. are some of the injustices seen in our society today. 

In 1 Kings 21: 1 – 10 we read about Naboth, from Jezreel, who owned a vineyard in Jezreel beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria.  The King offered to buy the orchard; however, Naboth was not prepared to sell the vineyard to the King because it was an inheritance that was passed down by his ancestors. When Jezebel, the wife to Ahab, saw that the king was upset and he could not eat she arranged to forge a letter which was purported to have been written by the King.  Naboth was accused before all the people, saying, “He cursed God and the king.” So he was dragged outside the town and stoned to death.

In a similar manner we face injustices similar to that of Naboth in our work place, families and in the nation.

 In families injustices in the form gender violence, rape, defilement, choosing who to feed and property grabbing are rampant.

In work places employment on the basis of where one comes from, bribery and sexual harassment to get employment is a common feature. God is the employer because there is no job which belongs to any individual. In any case how can one be an employer without people?

In Churches elders have been accused of being selective in whom they associate with. Those who are poor and cannot give any money are usually overlooked. We serve a just God so this type of discrimination is not in line with God’s wish.

At national level there are a lot of examples of injustices to people such as political intolerance, prosecution and harassment, little or no linen and drugs in Hospitals, theft of public funds and the delayed constitution and many more.

Whatever is done in darkness will come in the open. There is nowhere in history where people have been suppressed forever. God always intervenes.

Naboth lost his life for defending what belonged to him. The Church should rise up and defend the Gospel. God gave us this country in order to enjoy life.

God says when you cry I’ll hear from heaven. We are the light and the salt of the world. God is watching every step we take and we shall be answerable in the end.

In Matthew 18:21 – 35 we are told how we should forgive others.  Jesus tells us that forgiveness should be indefinite. The figure seven times seventy is just figurative. These injustices we see in our society are as a result of not forgiving one another and we undergo a cycle of revenge (See the Sermon on 2nd June 2013).

Let it go from your heart. Let us forgive and forget. The spirit of unforgivingness brings takes away our happiness and it affects our health. It has been said that 70 percent of sicknesses is brought about by unforgiving and bitterness.

To be resentful, judgemental and having a bad attitude towards others affects our relationship with God. God is a God who answers by fire and if we do not forgive our marriages, jobs, wealth, etc.  will be affected when God responds.

"The household of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish." (Proverbs 14:11).

"Those who are evil will bow before those who are good, and the wicked will bow at the gates of the righteous." (Proverbs 14:19).

Go out into the world and preach justice to all.

AMEN!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: (From the Church's Weekly Bulletin)

God is just. He created humanity in His image. This means humanity is designed to be just in all dealings justice is therefore one`s deal a divine inbuilt virtue in all humans. To be unjust in one’s is a deliberate choice that one makes. This implies that this virtue is ultimately within humanity’s mandate to either suppress or let it flourish. Suppression of this virtue breeds injustice.

Injustice is the absence of justice or the violation of the right or right of another. Injustice is a violation of God’s will. Injustice provokes the wrath of God.  1 Kings 21: 1-10 is an example of unjust behaviour towards those around us. Sometimes we have oppressed or told lies against our spouses and those around us in order to discredit them and justify our evil deeds. Remember your unjust conduct is a misrepresentation of who God is because you bear His image.

As you begin this week, ask yourself what you have been doing.

AMEN!