Friday!

Proverbs!

These sayings also belong to the wise: 

It is not good to show partiality in judgment. Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent" - peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him; 

but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a generous blessing will come to them.

Proverbs 24:23-25 CSB

I don't know any judges, but I am a parent, and I'm sure there's been times that I have declared the guilty innocent.

None of us like it when we are up close to injustice. 

Where are you and I called on to make judgements like this? 

It's easy to misplace grace, to justify in our own minds why it's easier or better not to pursue justice, not to put consequences in place, not to require accountability, not to seek restitution, not to require a confession, not to take up the cause of a victim.

Why else would I say to the guilty "you are innocent"?

Perhaps I don't want to believe they are guilty.

Perhaps it makes me look bad. 

Perhaps I've lost sight of the innocent person, the one harmed.

Perhaps I've forgotten that God is Just. 

Perhaps it's simply easier for me to side with injustice. 

Intrinsically that all feels a bit yuck, because we are wired for justice as image bearers of God, and this proverb is giving us a nudge to do what is right.

#proverbs

#wisdom

#somethingtochewon

#justice

#itsaheartthing

#donotdowhatiseasydowhatisright