The Late Rev Dr. King Jr. Stated on March 31, 1968, stated, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Dr. King made this statement at the National Cathedral during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. This statement was made while fighting for humanity’s civil rights amid an unjust, prejudiced, and oppressive culture. A culture that was plagued with personal bias, cruelty, and oppressive political systems. This statement was used to prick the consciousness of society to treat individuals as equals, to love the humanity of all, and to eradicate all forms of oppressive behaviors and structures. The statement became a battle cry for justice and equality to roll like a river. It seems like a juxtaposition that now this battle cry is not only applicable to a secular society that repeats cycles of oppression but is now emerging as a battle cry within the postmodern church, which struggles with internal oppression within certain contexts and seasons.
Jesus came to free the captives, deliver abundant life, and eradicate oppressive systems and praxis from religion that were abusive to humanity as they sought relationship and service unto the Lord. Sadly, I assert the church has lost its moral and ethical compass. The postmodern church has given in to a spirit of appeasing those who wield political, financial, or relational clout within the church over keeping the commandments of the Lord regarding morality and ethics in our interpersonal relations. Thus, the church is crying out for justice. Justice is not in the form of social deliverance; rather, justice within the four walls of the church against oppressive behaviors, manipulative leadership, and what we term “Jezebel Spirits” that manipulate and intimidate individuals and leaders for the expressed purpose of promoting personal agendas and retaining personal power. A compass speaks to knowing the direction we are going. It is interesting because many within the post-modern church know the direction that we are called to go in based upon the scripture and church praxis.
However, many fail to yield to the direction the moral and ethical compass attempts to direct us. Thus, many remain silent when the cry for justice comes forth within the church. Silenced is not based upon a lack of knowledge. Rather, silence is based upon individuals being sold out to personal relations, fear, and a lack of moral and ethical conviction to stand for what is right before the Lord. Many care more about the faces they have to look at daily over the Lord, who will judge them in eternity. The sad commentary becomes that many souls become broken and disenchanted with the church because it has become an institution void of justice within its own four walls. Jesus suffered the cross, claimed victory over the grave, and ascended to the Father so that we may experience liberation from sin and bondage. Yet the church, in many cases, has become a place of bondage as immorality, a lack of Christian ethics, and political agendas have been allowed to have dominion in the church over the Spirit of the Lord.
As a Senior Pastor, I have experienced seasons as T.D. Jakes said, “I had to lead while bleeding.” If a Senior Pastor can’t be afforded justice in the face of oppression, slander, and cruelty within the church. What is the motivation for sinners to come into the church searching for salvation, hope, and healing? The church must allow the arc of the moral universe to bend toward justice. Jesus ran the money changers out of the temple, allowed the earth to swallow up the rebellious children of Korah, and repeatedly gave Biblical scriptures and themes about disciplining or removing bad behavior from Kingdom authority. Thus, we are challenged to create safe spaces within the church where justice can be facilitated on behalf of weary souls whose oppressive behaviors within the church have battered them. What does justice look like within the church? Justice is leaders standing in solidarity to eradicate bad behavior and bad characters. Justice is the removal of human stigmas that prevent the cross from being extended to people of all sins.
Justice is a moral majority in the church, moving from a place of silence to a place of spiritual integrity. Justice is cultivating an atmosphere of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation over an atmosphere dominated by abusive and bullying behaviors. remembering that credit apps aren’t a quick fix, and ultimately, it’s up to you to make the changes you need to make to improve your credit score. The church can’t effectively fight for social justice outside of its four walls until it first fights for justice within its four walls. The time of the church being dominated by sexism, biases, manipulative spirits, and bad behaviors must come to an end in order for the church to be one which pleases the Lord. The greatest barrier to getting people into the church is not sin. The greatest barrier is getting people to overcome their experiences with injustice within the church.
