Voices: Justice looks like ‘teaching, modeling and equipping’

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EDITOR’S NOTE: “Justice looks like …” is a special series in the Voices column. Readers will have the opportunity to consider justice from numerous viewpoints. The series is based on each writer’s understanding of Scripture and relationship with Jesus Christ. Writers present their own views independent of any institution, unless otherwise noted in their bios.

You are encouraged to listen to each writer without prejudgment. Then, engage in conversation with others around you about what justice looks like to you.

Click here for more information about the series. Click here to read the full “Justice looks like…” series.


God’s people have a long history of injustice and unrighteousness. As recorded in the book of Numbers, the Israelites made a career of crying out to God while in need, taking his provision and humbling themselves before him … until they once again were unsatisfied. Throughout history, we repeat this same pattern over and over and over again.

Remember the sordid story of King David’s affair with Bathsheba in 1 Samuel 11. Bathsheba became pregnant, and David had her husband, Uriah the Hittite, sent to the front lines of battle. Uriah, an elite soldier in David’s army, was killed in an effort to absolve David’s sin.

David then took Bathsheba to be his wife. This displeased the Lord, and Nathan was sent to rebuke David, who ultimately uttered a heartfelt cry to the Lord: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways and sinners will return to you. … My tongue will sing loud of your righteousness” (Psalm 51:12-14).

The gift of God’s word

We all participate in injustice actively, passively and unintentionally. It seems we are not different from the Israelites, for we all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.

What is God’s response to this injustice? He shows his love for us by sending his Son to die for us while we were still sinners. He gives us a gift—Jesus.

Many different opinions, strategies and tactics are advocated today to address the injustice that exists in our world. God has continued to place on my mind Jesus’s words from the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 6:33. Jesus told us to focus on seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.


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Second Timothy 3:16-17 tells us Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, so the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Exhibiting justice in Christian higher education

For almost four decades, I have worked in Christian higher education at Wayland Baptist University. Obviously, I am committed to the transformative power of our mission and the work we are privileged to do.

As a Christian educator, I believe justice looks like courageously seeking out vulnerable people and helping them, educating them and pointing them to Jesus.

Justice looks like teaching, modeling and equipping them to understand and embrace a Christian worldview, for it is only through the redemptive work of Jesus that solutions to injustice truly are found.

We all sometimes neglect—knowingly or unknowingly—opportunities to make a difference by showing the love of Christ and pointing people to Jesus. In those times, we follow David’s example—repenting and pointing back to the righteousness of God.

We cannot all do everything, but we all can do something. My part is leading, teaching and raising the next generation to know the truth of God’s love for them. Justice looks like loving God and loving others, and for me, part of loving others looks like teaching them the truth of the gospel.

Today, as injustice swirls around us, Wayland still is committed to her mission to equip her students to be light in the darkness. Our circumstances and challenges are complex, and it often seems as if chaos reigns and that we have lost our ability to trust one another, just as humankind has done throughout history.

We often are faced with tough questions, and sometimes we may feel we don’t know the answers. At Wayland during those times, with bright and expectant eyes looking back at me, I have to teach what I do know: Jesus’ grace, love and truth are the only things that truly equip us for justice.

Bobby Hall is the president of Wayland Baptist University.

Click here to read the full “Justice looks like…” series.


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