Justice for Treyvon Martin and George Zimmerman

The Internet is ablaze with opinions about the recent case of the tragic shooting death of Treyvon Martin by George Zimmerman while performing a neighborhood watch. American passions and prejudices have been ignited on both sides of the issue placing some very ugly attitudes on display.  Both sides have sprung into action declaring the guilt of the opposing party, and the innocence of their own.  This blog is not about to take a side on this issue, but we will examine from a Biblical perspective what is wrong with this whole picture.


In Micah chapter six, God gives us a very clear, neatly packaged and summarized list of exactly how He expects us as human beings to behave toward one another.  We can learn a lot from this verse when it comes to this case.

Micah 6:8 (AV)
⁸ He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

The first thing God lists, through the prophet Micah is that we are to do justly, or to practice justice.  The following is a definition of justice as given in Webster's 1828 Dictionary:

The virtue which consists in giving to every one what is his due; practical conformity to the laws and to principles of rectitude in the dealings of men with each other; honesty; integrity in commerce or mutual intercourse. Justice is distributive or commutative. Distributive justice belongs to magistrates or rulers, and consists in distributing to every man that right or equity which the laws and the principles of equity require; or in deciding controversies according to the laws and to principles of equity. Commutative justice consists in fair dealing in trade and mutual intercourse between man and man.

God is very good at this task.  One way we can see that God exercises justice is the law of sowing and reaping.  Other traditions refer to it as karma.  Either way, there is an undeniable truth evident that what goes around comes around.


Galatians 6:7–9 (AV)
⁷ Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. ⁸ For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. ⁹ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Yes, God executes justice in His own perfect way and in His own perfect time.  We are as human beings, however commanded to do justly.  We are commanded first of all to practice justice toward our fellow man.  God actually places more emphasis on our just treatment of each other than He does on our sacrificial deeds.

Proverbs 21:3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.


With this in mind, let us consider how we can practice justice.  There are three things we must have in order to practice justice.


Romans 14:4 (AV)

⁴ Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

First of all, in order to have perfect justice, one must judge only within one's jurisdiction.  Webster tells us that justice comes from magistrates and rulers.  They can only render correct decisions if those decisions are within their area of jurisdiction.  It is wrong for a local judge in Connecticut to render a verdict in a case tried in Ohio.  It is outside of his jurisdiction. 

Much frustration can be avoided if we learn this principle.  Parents are responsible to render a just verdict when it comes to the behavior of THEIR OWN children.  It is unjust to attempt to make a decision about how someone else should deal with their children.  It is nosey, presumptive, and most of all unjust to assume that you have all the information to render a better judgment about someone else's children.  This is outside of your jurisdiction.

Church splits occur because people are trying to render a judgment that is outside of their jurisdiction.  People look at a decision that a pastor makes.  They are sure that they would do things differently.  Maybe they would, maybe they wouldn't.  The point is that they do not know, because pastoring is outside of their jurisdiction.  Friends, we need to realize that to even enter a discussion hypothetically about whether or not someone did what they were supposed to do, and those folks are not directly under us or under our responsibility, then to make that value judgement is a waste of time, energy, and it is unjust.

We have horrible atrocities occurring over the story of Treyvon and George because we have an entire nation practicing unjust judgment.  Think about the absurdity that assumes that because we have 30 seconds of sound bites and video clips, we are more equipped than professional law enforcement to decide whether or not someone should be arrested and convicted!  This is the stuff of a lynch mob!  I am not saying one or the other is guilty.  I am saying that to even offer an opinion in this area over which we have no personal jurisdiction is unjust, unbiblical, and wrong.  In the name of "justice" Spike Lee gave out an address to an angry mob supposing to expose George Zimmerman, but instead he unleashed ignorant fury on a couple that were not involved at all.  In the name of "justice" the New Black Panthers issued a Dead or Alive bounty for Mr. Zimmerman.  This kind of behavior where a mob assumes the ability to judge outside of their realm of jurisdiction guarantees that true justice will not be served because it has jumped the boundaries of the rule of law.

People have asked this author for his opinion on this case.  My opinion is irrelevant and unlearned because I do not have access to all the information.  I am not charged with determining a correct verdict.  It is outside my jurisdiction.

The next thing that is needed for justice to be served is a standard of truth.  In our daily operation and evaluation, we as believers should turn to scriptures for that truth.  In this case we must turn the rule of law in our land.  We must not be caught up in the frenzy of an ignorant but impassioned mob.  We must allow the law to work without deference to race or background.  The rule of law and evidence must be applied to all. Let the authorities do their work.  If there is evidence that requires an arrest, it is their job to find it, not ours to second guess based upon incomplete information interpreted without the mandate of jurisdiction. 

Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

The last thing we will consider as a requirement for justice is complete information.  I am amazed how quickly people offer an opinion on this or any other matter.  The Bible clearly warns that this behavior is unwise even foolish.

Proverbs 18:13 (AV)

¹³ He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Last week 73% of Americans polled believed that George Zimmerman must be arrested.  Now only 48% still believe that.  Why?  The people have been given more information.  You see, we are way to ready to offer an opinion based on knee jerk reactions than we are to humble bow out, acknowledging that the matter is outside of our jurisdiction and we simply cannot make a just judgement.

If after reading this post you assume that I lean in one way or another toward or against these men, you have completely missed the point.  We will all save ourselves a lot of sorrow and frustration if we concentrate on rendering just judgement in those areas over which God has given us jurisdiction.  If you are a parent, rule your own children well.  If you are a husband, rule your household well.  If you are an elected official, serve your office well.  God has in His perfect providence, given us areas of responsibility.  Let us practice justice well within our jurisdiction.  If we all do that, then justice will be served for Treyvon Martin and George Zimmerman.