Fighting For JusticeExemplo

DAY 2 - INCORRUPTIBLE SERVANT 

You’ll notice as you strive to live right in life, the world will try it’s hardest to corrupt you. Before I became a Christian, I didn’t know any better so I did as I pleased and quickly learned the consequences of sin. I didn’t need a godly compass or a preacher to tell me right from wrong, it was obvious that what I put out in the world is what came back to me. As my life changed and I committed to living a life for God, my eyes quickly opened to the evil that is constantly beckoning us to follow suit or become an accomplice of its agenda. 

We see the same thing in Romero’s journey. As we see in this film clip, when Romero was appointed the Archbishop of San Salvador, the rich people of the country wanted him to turn a blind eye to their evil and give them special privileges. It really would have been so simple for him to comply and look the other way because he was a man of the people and could have convinced himself that it was apart of his duties to not ruffle any feathers. 

In his journals, Romero wrote: “Between the powerful and the wealthy, and the poor and vulnerable, who should a pastor side with? I have no doubts. A pastor should stay with his people.” However, he knew God had called him to a higher standard, which makes all people equal and shows no partiality. Ultimately, Romero sided with God’s heart when it came to choosing between popularity and justice, a rare stance in this day and age where people are told their main goal in life is to get to the top, regardless of the cost. 

Romero’s battle went even further once some of his peers in the church thought his resistance meant he was on their side and would condone a vengeful uprising to take up arms and fight the government. If you log online you might be tempted to join in on hateful post, as well, but how would God have us respond? Romero stood his righteous ground and instead he prayed forgiveness for the murderers of his time and he preached as Jesus did in Matthew 26:52, to put down your weapons. 

Being incorruptible and not retaliating is a very fine line, especially when injustice is seemingly prevailing but Jesus exemplified it best, forgive, turn the other cheek and be willing to lay it all down for what you believe in.

Take a look at your life, are there things in your heart that you’d like to re-align with scripture? Is there a struggle to be an example of Christ on your journey down the narrow path? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you stand up for righteousness in a way that is a reflection of the love, peace and forgiving heart of Jesus.