Injustice seems to be the order of the day these days and too many persons, including people who claim to be Christians, simply turn a blind eye.
The world’s leaders are leading the charge as they are the primary
perpetrators of the injustice we see being meted out to citizens and we do
nothing. In our silence and failure to condemn such actions, we have become abettors.
Why are we, children of a just God, accepting injustice?
This is nothing new, centuries ago, the prophet Amos
delivered a message to those who were perpetrating and accepting injustice. Pay
attention to his words.
You people hate anyone who
challenges injustice and speaks the whole truth in court. You have
oppressed the poor and robbed them of their grain. And so you will not live in
the fine stone houses you build or drink wine from the beautiful vineyards you
plant. I know how terrible your sins are and how many crimes you have
committed. You persecute good people, take bribes, and prevent the poor from
getting justice in the courts. And so, keeping quiet in such evil times is
the smart thing to do! – Amos 5:10-13 (GNT)
Yes, we keep quiet because we think it’s the smart thing to
do. We think it’s the smart thing to do when our jobs are at stake. We think it’s
the smart thing to do because we don’t want to ruffle any feathers. We think it’s
the smart thing to do simply because we’re afraid to speak out, so, we keep
quiet.
Amos continues,
Make it your aim to do what
is right, not what is evil, so that you may live. Then the Lord God
Almighty really will be with you, as you claim he is. Hate what is evil,
love what is right, and see that justice prevails in the courts. Perhaps
the Lord will be merciful to the people of this nation who are still
left alive. – Amos 5:14-15 (GNT)
Right here, in my little country, there is so much injustice
but Christians and those who claim God’s sovereignty in their lives, are quiet.
Not a word, not a whisper, just silence. And in some other countries we see
Pastors, women and men of God, upholding and uplifting, almost genuflecting,
leaders who engage in criminal behaviour, and persist in doing what is evil.
Amos continues,
And so the
Sovereign Lord Almighty says, “There will be wailing and cries of
sorrow in the city streets. Even farmers will be called to mourn the dead along
with those who are paid to mourn. There will be wailing in all the
vineyards. All this will take place because I am coming to punish you.”
The Lord has spoken. – Amos 5:16-17 (GNT)
Perhaps you believe that because of Jesus Christ’s
sacrifice, you do not fall into this category, that Amos’ words aren’t meant
for you, and that maybe so but only if you sincerely repent. God still disciplines
(see Hebrews 12:7-11). There are still consequences that result from the
choices you make (see Galatians 6:7).
Amos continues,
How terrible it will be for
you who long for the day of the Lord! What good will that day do you? For
you it will be a day of darkness and not of light. It will be like someone
who runs from a lion and meets a bear! Or like someone who comes home and puts
his hand on the wall—only to be bitten by a snake! The day of
the Lord will bring darkness and not light; it will be a day of
gloom, without any brightness. – Amos 5:18-20 (GNT)
And then he says,
The Lord says, “I
hate your religious festivals; I cannot stand them! When you bring me
burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; I will not accept
the animals you have fattened to bring me as offerings. Stop your noisy
songs; I do not want to listen to your harps. Instead, let justice flow like a
stream, and righteousness like a river that never goes dry. – Amos 5:21-24
(GNT)
Beloved, we cannot afford to ignore the context of these
verses. As in Amos’ day, we are witnessing a system of justice that does not
favour all people as it should; it is a prejudicial system of justice.
Accepting injustice is aiding and abetting wrongdoing.
Remaining silent is a copout that weakens the fabric of
trust in society. In a society that looks quite similar to our own, Amos went
straight for the religious jugular, he did not mince God’s words.
No amount of fancy religiosity will negate the fact that we’ve
kept quiet in the face of the injustice that is being doled out daily.
Let us repent for the part we have played and pray for the courage to
protest injustice when we see it.
Amen †
Shelley Johnson “Accepting Injustice” ©2026 June 19, 2026
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