Garwood Presbyterian Church

Overcoming Injustice

Genesis 39:1, 6b-20a and Luke 6:27-37
#3 In "We are Overcomers Through Christ"

Introduction: We read in Genesis 39 how Joseph was accused of something he did not do and then was thrown into prison. He was treated very unjustly. Most likely we all have been treated unjustly at some time. What are we to do about it? If the system we are in is unjust, we as Christians should try to change it. Christians should try to change any unjust systems, and historically they have done this. But what about for ourself personally? What should we do?

1. Jesus Said to Love Our Enemies, Do Good to Them, Bless Them, and Pray for Them
   1. We read in Luke 6:27-37 that Jesus said we are to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us.
   2. How can we possibly do this when the wrongness, hurt, and pain of injustice inside of us causes us to cry out for justice instead?
   3. Jesus told us how, also in Luke 6:27-37, when He said that we are to "be merciful" and "forgive."
2. How to Be Merciful and Forgive
   1. Receive God's help through the Holy Spirit by being a Christian.
      1. See Zechariah 4:6, John 15:5, and Galatians 5:22-23.
      2. Our human nature does not want to forgive. So we need God's help to do it.
   2. Read the Bible and be convinced that God wants you to be merciful and forgive.
      1. See Hosea 6:6, Matthew. 5:21-22, Matthew 6:12-15, Matthew 7:1-5, Matthew 18:21-35, Luke 6:27-37, Romans 12:14, and Ephesians 4:32.
      2. The Bible says that if I do not forgive, then I am the one who is sinning now.
   3. Release the hurt and pain of the injustice to God.
      1. See Psalm 69, Psalm 142, Luke 22:41-44, and Hebrews 12:15.
      2. Releasing our hurt and pain enables us to forgive. So let go of it to God.
   4. Forgive others because God has forgiven you.
      1. See Matthew 18:21-35, Luke 6:36, and Ephesians 4:32.
      2. The more real God's forgiveness is in our own life, the easier it is for us to forgive others.
   5. Realize that if you don't forgive, your sin and guilt will block your relationship with God.
      1. See Matthew 5:22-23, Matthew 6:12, 14-15, Mark 11:25, Galatians 5:19-21, James 2:12-13.
      2. By forgiving, we improve our relationship with God.
   6. Also realize that if you don't forgive, you are opening a place for Satan in your life.
      1. See 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 and Ephesians 4:26-27.
      2. When we forgive, we keep Satan out of our life.
   7. Find something good that you have received in spite of the injustice you went through.
      1. See Genesis 45:1-8, John 15:1-4, Romans 5:3-4, Romans 8:28, 2 Cor. 1:3-9, Phil. 1:29-30, James 1:2-4, and 1 Peter 4:1-2, 1 Peter 4:12-19.
      2. When we recognize the good that God has brought out of the bad we went through, it is easier to forgive.
   8. Pray for the person that you need to forgive.
      1. See Matthew 5:43-45 and Luke 6:27-28.
      2. If you keep praying for them, God will soften your heart, and you will be able to forgive them.
   9. Leave vengeance up to God.
      1. See Romans 12:17-21.
      2. You can let go of your desire to punish them, and forgive them instead, because God will punish them unless they are a Christian.

Conclusion: God wants you to forgive so that your past pain doesn't continue in your present and ruin your future. God wants you to forgive so that you can have peace. God's solution for injustice is to forgive. So let go of any injustice done to you, forgive, and receive God's peace.