Why No Christian Should EVER Be Part of “No Justice, No Peace”

I don’t think any adult in The USA hasn’t heard about the conflict in Baltimore. Freddie Gray died in police custody and the public response, at least for a little while, made Baltimore look like a war zone. For some time now, the cry of the oppressed has become, “No Justice No Peace.”

But today justice seems to be catching up to the men responsible for Mr. Gray’s death. The State’s Attorney has declared that the death is ruled a homicide and charges are now pending against the men responsible. In part of the announcement, State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby said:

To the people of Baltimore and demonstrators across America, I heard your call for ‘No Justice, No peace.’ Your peace is sincerely needed as I work to deliver justice on behalf of this young man.

I’m not against pursuing justice. It would have been a severe injustice to sweep this death under the rug. My problem is with the attitude behind the mantra “No Justice No Peace.”

It simply isn’t biblical. In fact, it’s unbiblical. The Bible calls for Christians to be people of peace, not people of violence. Our ultimate example is Jesus, who submitted to death on a cross. He didn’t ask his followers to pursue justice and to forsake peace until justice prevailed.

We are people of peace IN SPITE OF injustice.

This has been the hallmark of martyrs since the beginning of the faith. In the middle of persecution and injustice, we are people of peace. We rest in the knowledge that God has the final say in matters. Do what you will now, we have assurance that one day all of the wrongs will be righted.

This is the hope that the Church has held on to for thousands of years. We don’t have permission to throw out peace just because we’re angry about injustice. No, this should be the time we REALLY press in and pursue peace. I understand the natural desire to rebel against injustice. I don’t fault people for desiring justice. But it does make me uneasy, almost sickened, to see ministers and Christians embrace a “No Justice No Peace” mentality.

This is not the way of the cross.

This is not supposed to be our way.

Let us be people of peace, no matter what this world throws at us.

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