A kingdom of justice and righteousness

The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.

Isaiah 32:16-18

If today we live in a world of injustice, corruption and evil, it is because the human being has neglected the Creator’s initial plan. God’s plan for the earth and for humanity has always been that we could dwell in a kingdom of justice and righteousness, in a perfect kingdom, just as He is perfect.

The chaotic social context in which we live is the result of distorted relationships, a consequence of sin. The fall damaged the relationship between man and God. And a damaged relationship with God has had consequences in all kinds of human relationships: in family, between people in general, and in the relation between human beings and nature. God called man in Genesis to take care of His creation, and today there is irresponsible exploitation of nature.

But all is not lost, there is hope!

He brought us into the kingdom of light

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.

Colossians 1:13

Although we live in a fallen society, we who received Jesus, the Son of God, became part of the Kingdom of light. And our life must be governed by the values and principles of that Kingdom.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9

We have become a priesthood of the Kingdom of God. And the fact that we have been reconciled creates a responsibility for us, as the verse of 1 Peter shows us. We need to declare to society the character of God, the principles of His Kingdom, which is a Kingdom of peace, justice and joy.

You have been called to be an agent who carries God’s presence and His values even in the chaos in which we live. We, as the Church of Christ, must promote hope. We must in our attitudes and actions express the Biblical values of justice, of treating all people with dignity. To use the riches and resources of God’s creation to glorify Him and reveal to the world more about who He is.

And that in all contexts of our lives: at work, in our professions, at home with the family, in the way we handle our finances, in our friendships. If you are a lawyer, work honestly and under fairer laws. If you are an entrepreneur, be fair to your employees and work in a sustainable way, thinking about the preservation of God’s creation. If you are a collaborator in any company, pray for your leaders and always work with excellence, because we have a Father who is excellent in everything. If you are married, practice forgiveness.

People inspired by God generate transformation

It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land.

Genesis 41:28-30

In this first excerpt, Joseph, being in Egypt, reveals Pharaoh’s dream and shows the king that there would be a lot of abundance for 7 years in Egypt and then 7 years of famine. No one in the palace was able to interpret the dream, but Joseph, a man inspired by God, was able to interpret it.

And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.

Genesis 41:33-36

In this second part of this biblical story, we see that Joseph not only revealed the king’s dream. But he was also able to propose economic planning for the situation. Joseph suggested the collection of a tax as a prevention. So that there would be food stored in the moment of crisis that would come.

Joseph reveals the king’s dream and expresses the sovereignty of the supernatural God. And Joseph also brings a solution that helped the whole region of Egypt to go through a difficult situation. He was an answer to what would become a major social problem. Pharaoh and his officials recognized the wisdom in him and Pharaoh placed him as governor over the whole land of Egypt. In suggesting an intelligent economic solution, Joseph also expressed the character of God, who is the holder of all wisdom and knowledge.

Conclusion: Be an answer!

Like Joseph, you can also be an answer to today’s social problems! Because you have been reconciled and transported to the Kingdom of light. You can be an answer to people and situations in your professional, family and relational context.

Fill yourself with God and the Holy Spirit. So that you will be full of wisdom and live the reality of the Kingdom of the Lord today, here on earth.