Sixth and Gibbs Church of Christ
IMPACT May 2015
Justice and Faith Tackling Life’s Issues with Grace
definition of Justice. He could very well be justified by not providing hope and forgiveness. He had the right to by Aaron Earlywine do so… but was willing to give up that and provide grace… in the most just way possible. He is still just in proIt seems to me that if we want to live justly we have to viding grace. It is this kind of justice that he calls us to learn the art of forgiveness and mercy. By all accounts live out, not a justice of vengeance… but a justice of freeone who lives justly according the Word of God stands dom in faith. by the hurt, the oppressed and humbly pleads the case of those who cannot speak for themselves. To live justly is We want to live out justice in a holy vindictive way… we to put yourself in harms way. To provide grace, hope want to see people pay for their sins. We see justice as and understanding to those who hurt. wrong doers getting what they deserve. We feel justice has finally been served when the culprit has been captuTurning on the news is a very dangerous thing to do thered and properly punished for his/her sins. We want to se days. It seems the world around us is in constant unsee proof that Law Enforcement acted in a justified way rest. Rioting here in America, innocent people killed in by pulling the trigger. We want to see the right people places like Iran and the Sudan; the news gives us very punished for their crimes. To live justly is to be a part of little to get up for. Justice seems to be the thing missing, making others pay for their transgressions. either for the accused or for the innocent. How then are we supposed to handle the world around us? On a smalI don’t see that definition in the scriptures above, or the ler scale we are constantly on the lookout for those trying many other places that Justice is defined in scripture. I to take advantage of us, those who would cheat us, or certainly don’t see that lived out in the life of Jesus, who treat us poorly. We want justice. Justice is our right. was unjustly accused, tried and murdered. It seems to And Justice makes things right. me that if we want to live justly we have to learn the art of forgiveness and mercy. By all accounts one who lives God himself is defined by his Justice. Take a look at a justly according the Word of God stands by the hurt, the few of these verses: oppressed and humbly pleads the case of those who canLearn to do right; seek justice. Defend the opnot speak for themselves. To live justly is to put yourself pressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the in harms way. To provide grace, hope and understanding case of the widow. (Isa. 1: 17) to those who hurt. He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. Eugene Cho in his book Overrated, says this, “Justice is And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly doing for others what we would want done for us. Justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. is the act of restoring something to fullness after it has (Mic. 6: 8) been harmed.”* Jesus spent a lot of his time here on earth with the hurt, oppressed, weak, and sinful people. This is what the LORD says: Do what is just He didn’t do it to punish anyone, he did it because he and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the loved those he was around and wanted to make thing one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to right with them and to justify them by grace in faith. the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do no shed innocent blood in this place. (Jer. 22: 3) I do not fully understand justice but I’m working on it. I do understand enough to know that many times I have The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the fought for the wrong things and in the wrong ways to earth is full of his unfailing love. (Ps. 33: 5) attain justice for myself and others. Instead of demanding justice, I must live out justice in the way I treat those Justice for the Lord is not just a good idea, it is literally around me. what defines him. Yet, it was God’s very justice that required him to send Jesus to the cross. He literally gave us grace when we required punishment… this is God’s
MaY (___) Sun
Mon
3
Tue
4
Missions Team Meeting f
10
Mother’s Day! f
17
Wed
5
Love Circle Potluck
Thu
6
National Day of Prayer
Fri
7
Sat 1
2
8
9
Dessert
Auction
11
12
13
14
15
18
19
20
21
22
16
YG Birthday Party!
23
Grove Camp Renewal
24
25
Memorial Day
Weeekend Youth/Graduation Sunday
31
Women’s Luncheon
26
27
28
29
30
Sixth and Gibbs Church of Christ
Events
Missions Team Meeting
Love Circle Potluck
Sunday May 3rd Following 2nd Service
Tuesday May 5th Rose White’s Home @ 11:00am
Youth and Children’s Ministry News! It finally feels like spring is actually upon us. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the insects are out in droves. It's hard to believe that these are also signs of the school year getting ready to end. May is our last full month of school and we have a lot of fun things planned, but we also did a lot of fun things in April. The month started off with four of our high school students going over and visiting Boise Bible College during their annual Preview weekend. I was not able to attend but I have heard from all of them that it was a great time. This month we also spent a day at Skate World. Every Tuesday they play only Christian music so we went to check it out. Though I am still sore from all the times I fell down, it was a blast and I can't wait to take the students again in the near future. Youth Group (which meets every Sunday evening at 6) has been going great. We usually have from 12 to 20
students show up and participate. I love getting to spend time with the kids and hearing what they are going through in life is always exciting. These kids work so hard and it's really impressive to hear all of their achievements. Lastly I just want to remind everyone that on May 9th we will be having our Dessert Auction. We do this each year to help our students pay for the Christ In Youth conference. I am planning on taking over 10 kids this year so we definitely need your help in getting there. I know that God will bless everything you are willing to give. Thanks so much for your support of the children's and youth programs we have at the church. If you are interested in learning more about either just let me know. God Bless, Seth Bailey
Little Light Children’s Ministry
Children’s Church Lessons 5/3
Ch. 27 Jesus Has Risen!
5/10
Mother’s Day!
5/17
Ch. 28 The Holy Spirit
5/24
Ch. 29 God Uses Paul
5/24
Ch. 30 God’s Servant
Women’s Luncheon May 31st @ Noon
Please join us as we learn and grow in our understanding of the Savior and the joy He brings to our journey!