The Injustice of the Impeachment Trial

 

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”     

Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Justice did not take place at the 2^nd impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate of President Trump. Please understand, this is NOT a political position. Injustice overruled because prior to the trial commencing before ever hearing any evidence, most of the Senators had already rendered their verdict. The trial was a sham and a circus to garner political points. Our elected leaders who are elected to enact laws and ensure justice were a horrible example of injustice to our country. It’s no wonder that a large percentage of Americans have so little faith in or respect for Congress. 

  Let me unpack this. Imagine that this was a grand larceny trial of someone accused of that crime in our community and there is a jury panel of 100 citizens. It’s far too large for this kind of crime, but nonetheless, just imagine that you had a jury of 100 persons. What does each of them swear to do? They swear to faithfully understand and evaluate the evidence in order to come to a just conclusion about innocence or guilt. 

  To put the situation into a contemporary context, imagine that the trial is to begin in the middle of this coming week, but when you pick up Sunday’s edition of the newspaper, you discover that of the 100 jurors who are named, something like 30 of the jurors say, “In anticipation of the trial, I don't need the evidence. He’s guilty. I'm going to vote to convict.” There’s another 30 who say, “I don’t care what the evidence might be. He’s innocent. I’ll never vote to convict.” Another 20 say, “You know what? I’m kind of leaning towards conviction, but my mind is open.” And then the last 20 say, “Hey, I’m leaning against conviction, but I’m going to keep an open mind.” There’s no other word for that but Injustice.

 Justice demands that there is impartiality until the evidence has been heard. Political bigotry not demonstrated evidence before the trial determined the outcome. That’s injustice! Deuteronomy 32:4 says, “A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He.” God is just, absolutely just! What does it mean that God is just? The Oxford Dictionary explains that someone or something that is “just” is “behaving according to what’s morally right and fair.” Other synonymous words might be “accurate” (as in measurement), “correctness” (as in a judgment), and, of course, “righteous” (as in a description of a person’s condition). That God is just means that He is consistent, virtuous, and right and since His justness is part of His unchanging nature. God is always right and just in whatever He does. 

  Because our God is just, His followers must be committed to justice, even if it means we go against the grain of our preconceptions or political perspective. It’s wrong to come to conclusions without hearing a full accounting. It’s foolish to be emotionally manipulated and failing to be objective before even stating an opinion. Proverbs 18:13 is very pointed, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” 

  Social verdicts and public opinion executions before evidence or trials are commonplace in our divided culture. The media is too frequently an accessory to this evil in that they prey on emotions, manipulate a story and try the accused in the court of public opinion. Rather than accuracy or objectivity, sensationalism is utilized to increase ratings. 

  Far too often the average person and general public are co-conspirators. For example, say a business is accused of some atrocious behavior that may or may not be true. The accusation is posted on social media. Soon comments concurring with the guilty conclusion are piling on, yet the accused has never been allowed to share their side. They’ve been accused, tried, and judged guilty in the court of public opinion. It’s injustice. 

  In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” Because He is the truth and committed to truth, Jesus often irritated and antagonized even His followers and He incensed those who opposed Him. 

  As Christ-followers, we must be committed to truth and justice. We can’t let our own preconceptions or feelings contaminate us. We must not allow ourselves to be manipulated by public outrage. Justice demands objectivity. Justice takes time. It means slowing down and stepping back. It requires thinking, reasoning and weighed responses. How can we be committed to justice as our God is? 

  We must be committed to a biblical ethic of justice. Exodus 23:1-9 details God’s laws of justice: No false reports; Don’t follow the crowd; No favoritism in the law; Give true testimony; Show kindness to your enemy; Justice to the poor; No false charges; Don’t take bribes; Fair treatment for foreigners. While others can jump to conclusions, a commitment to justice for a Christ-follower demands not being influenced by the color of the accused’s skin or the color of their uniform. It means a commitment to equal treatment no matter one’s economic situation. Too often the poor suffer injustice because of their economic limitations in that they can’t afford quality lawyers, while the wealthy get off with a plea deal or a lighter sentence. The general attitude toward serving on a jury is very negative. But if Christians and those committed to justice won’t serve, can we count on justice for the poor or disenfranchised? 

  We must be willing to be unpopular by standing for what is right. When emotions are charged, we must not jump on the bandwagon. We must ask questions and refuse to be caught up in a tidal wave of public opinion. It demands wisdom and spiritual courage. It’s easier to go along to get along. Too often we’re cowed by a fear of fallout. 

  In our relationships being committed to justice means refusing to participate in gossip and giving others the benefit of the doubt, particularly if the accusation is out of character with their reputation. It requires objectivity, taking time to think and weigh the evidence. It often means restraining and not contributing because you don’t have enough information to render an opinion. 

  Though justice wasn’t done in D.C., it will be done in the Courts of Heaven. Christ-followers must be committed to pleasing the righteous Judge and increasing His Kingdom here by being committed to justice in this temporary world. While we can’t do everything, we can do something. So, this week, stand up, speak up and when you see something evil going down, don’t just pass by it. Seek to make a difference. Stand up for justice and when you do, the God of perfect justice will be standing with you.

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