the "timeless truth in our heart" will not be known, unless ...

The events of our world can lead us to feel that our world is completely out of control. It seems that evil is winning and that chaos is the norm. Yet our heart feels that there is "timeless truth" that can and must prevail. That darkness does not reign over light, and that good wins in the end. It seems that the narrative of the media, government, education, religion, and society as a whole cannot pacify these longings of our heart. How will truth be known? How will truth prevail? How will truth restore peace and liberty? 

We see revenge as the major force at work in the world. We know that this "Hatfield & McCoy" revenge that dominates is not pretty. Revenge is not helpful, not welcome by those whose heart yearns for peace.

While revenge is not hopeful for mankind, revenge is justice. Revenge is the basic notion that we get what we deserve, reciprocity, "an eye for an eye." But revenge produces so much evil. How can justice be evil? Our hearts yearn for the timeless truth of justice, but yet justice by definition brings revenge. 

The "timeless truth" we must all embrace is that administering justice belongs to God. God has ordained civil institutions to enact justice through objective, lawful punishment to maintain order in society. But justice in the hands of individuals' revenge motive stems from humans taking on God's role in satisfying justice. When individuals desire justice, they cannot escape hatred.

The "timeless truth" is that justice is God's business. He has taken care of justice for us so we can act in the liberty of grace towards one another. We can respond to offense not in reciprocity, but in unmerited favor, which is first granted to us by the author of all life. 

Dividing up sides and enacting "justice" on each other is a tribal mindset that is sourced in our human flaws of social categorization and attraction. 

There is futility in ignoring the diversity among us. The "timeless truth" of justice is not found in the eye saying to the arm, "I don't need you," or vice versa. The "timeless truth" of justice is that in Jesus, we are individually members of one another.  

So, the "timeless truth in our heart" will not be known until ....

we trust it

we say it

we act on it

we share it

Looking elsewhere for the solution to peace and liberty is also futile ....