As we celebrate the beginnings of America, I feel blessed to live in a land where we aspire to certain truths. The truths which we hold to be self-evident. I know America has failed at times to live up to her own standards, but that does not change the actual fact that we are all created equal and are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable Rights, among which are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. We have to keep trying to live up to these truths.
As we consider how to do this, it may be helpful to go to an old Jewish source, the book of Leviticus. Leviticus 19:15 states,
“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor OR favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”
To judge your neighbor fairly is an honorable goal! We should avoid showing favoritism to the great, the rich, the beautiful, the famous. Avoiding partiality to the poor seems an odder statement and difficult to understand. But does showing unfair partiality to those who are poor, either in resources, talents, work ethic, or some other way really help them? Does lowering a standard in an effort to make everyone feel good give a benefit to anyone in the long run? Are we not, in doing this, ignoring or holding back some of those who struggle hard to achieve success?
The standard should be the same for all. We should not ignore the shortcomings of the great because we want to curry favor, and we should never ignore giving honor to those who struggle against fewer resources to achieve success.
Perverting justice never really helps anyone……..it hurts us all.
There are a lot of problems reflected in our American institutions and we can do better. But we need to remember that these problems only reflect our own hearts. That is where our real problems lie. That is where we need change. Our trouble start with ourselves.
So on this 4th of July, let us reflect on our great country and its challenges but then let us turn and look at our own hearts. How do we sometimes pervert justice to those around us in our individual and personal lives?
If we change, our country will change. If individuals change, our institutions will change.
May the Lord bless you this holiday and all the days ahead!
