Each one is short and to the point. Lay these three on top of each other, and a powerfully rich framework for seeking justice takes shape.
“Do not be afraid” is by far the most frequently stated command in Scripture. Its frequency declares that life is filled with fear, and fear leads to many negative outcomes: anger, paralysis, reactivity, fruitless conflict and more. Its frequency also reminds us that the Lamb is on the throne (Rev. 5), and though we experience fear, we can “hold” that fear inside the Lamb’s rule and in that posture we can trust and follow him.
The second one - “Love one another” – flows from the first. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” (I John 4.8). Freedom from fear frees us up for the agape love that Jesus embodied and is at the heart of following him. Agape love is a surrendered love: surrendered to Jesus and surrendered in his name to embody his heart in all that we are and do. Agape love is the fuel that drives all justice-seeking.
These three commands remind me that I am never in a position to absolutize my solutions
And this culminates in number three: “Stand firm.” When one enters this command into the biblegateway.com search bar, and surveys the results, it becomes clear that to stand firm is to be rooted in surrendered trust to the Lord, without fear. “Stand firm,” Moses said to the Israelites when they were trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army (EX. 14). “Stand firm,” Jahaziel said to Jehoshaphat and all his people when a vast army had come to annihilate them (II Chron. 20). After Jesus describes what the last days will be like, he calls upon his followers to “Stand firm.” (Matt. 24) Paul declares this command with the greatest frequency in a variety of contexts; each one calls for surrendered trust.
I need this three part framework to guide my justice seeking. I often feel exhausted and discouraged, overwhelmed and even terrified by the injustice, greed, exploitation and suffering that is seemingly everywhere. These three commands function as encouragements to persevere, to have open eyes for the presence of God everywhere, and to respond to all situations with agape love that seeks wisdom that builds capacity for justice.
I often become angry about injustice, and in my anger I am tempted to absolutize my own solutions (or those of “my tribe”) for these injustices. These three commands remind me that I am never in a position to absolutize my solutions, but rather in a posture of surrendered agape to “keep on keeping on,” inch by inch, with my eyes fixed on Jesus to run the race set before me.
“Do not be afraid.” “Love one another.” “Stand firm.” Each of us has our own phrases and “touchstones” that encourage us on that beautiful and challenging justice journey. This triple-decker has showered profound blessings on my path.
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