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“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.” Luke 6:27–30

If Jesus is so fixated on love, He must care little about justice. 

Wrong... Jesus loves justice.

  1. Jesus calls out religious sects for their acts of injustice.
    1. “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” (Luke 11:42)
  2. Jesus calls his followers to pursue justice. When accused of unjust behavior, you should try to settle your injustice out of court. Additionally, He does not see punishment for injustice as wrong.
    1. “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny.” (Luke 12:57–59)
  3. Jesus encourages us to ask God for justice.
    1. “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:1–8)

If Jesus loves justice, why doesn’t he command us to, “Cry for justice against your enemies!” Why, “Love your enemies.”? Here are some possible reasons.

  1. The Christian’s personal responsibility is to love their enemies more than to pursue justice. Jesus is speaking to your personal responsibility. You, first and foremost, should always seek to love your enemies.
  2. Christians don’t deal out justice. Christians do not deny justice. We deny who gives justice. We long for God’s justice (and government’s as well (See Romans 13:1–7)). In fact, justice is what helps the Christian love his enemies, the belief that God is just and will reward those who trust and obey Him (Luke 6:35).
  3. Even in pursuing justice, the Christian can love her enemies. Love does not excuse crimes. A disciple should both long for justice (from God and governments) while having a heart of love for their enemy. We have seen this supernaturally displayed in many court cases where victims forgive their enemies and ask the court to hold the offender accountable for their crimes.
  4. Loving an enemy should not glamorize, minimize, or deny their injustice. Jesus does not say that our love for an enemy downplays their sin (i.e. calling them to conviction). Jesus does this Himself when he calls out the Pharisees for their injustice (Luke 11:42). The apostles expose injustice when warned to not speak about Jesus any more (Acts 5:27–29).

Jesus loves justice. And yet, His call for us is to love our enemies. He promises a great reward for those who do so.