In any civil case, it is essential that the truth about the matter come to the forefront. Civil law is designed to punish evildoers. This means that the one guilty must be guilty of the crime and not falsely accused. Impartiality is therefore paramount in biblical law. Truth telling is absolutely necessary in a court of law. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:25, "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another." This would even mean being witnesses against our family members and church members if we are witnesses against them. There are many secret societies that are forbidden to turn in fellow members even if they have committed murder. This is a perversion of justice and a Christian will have no part with this evil.
Application
To properly understand the Bible, we need to use what is known as applied theology.
Exodus 23:1-3, 6-7 reads, "Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. 2Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: 3Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause. 6Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause. 7Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked." These are case laws under the ninth commandment against bearing false witness. The ninth commandment prohibits false testimony and therefore on the positive side encourages telling the truth regardless of who is involved.
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines "impartiality" as, "1. Indifference of opinion or judgment; freedom from bias in favor of one side or party more than another; disinterestedness. Impartiality is indispensable to an upright judge. 2. Equitableness; justice; as the impartiality of a decision." An impartial jurist is one who will hear the testimony of the witnesses and look at the evidence and make a determination based upon what has been presented no matter who is involved. An impartial witness is important for the jury to make an impartial decision.
James 2:1-7 says, "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?" Here is an example of partiality. This is showing favoritism to the rich over the poor. This is showing a respect of persons. This is not in keeping with God. He is not a respecter of persons.
Proverbs 14:20 show a disparity between the rich and the poor, "The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends." Poor men do not possess much so they are often excluded especially from being able to obtain justice because the of the expense involved. The rich are able to gain access to judgments because of their wealth. Biblical law grants access to the civil courts regardless of financial ability. Proverbs 29:14 reads, "The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever." This means that this king has not despised a man because of his financial wherewithal. God will ensure him staying on the throne. Job 34:19 says, "How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands." Whether rich or poor, God expects us to uphold justice by testifying truthfully and impartially.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:6-8, "But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?" For a brother to take another brother to law before unbelievers is showing a partiality against that brother by thinking that one could get better justice from an unbeliever than from believers. This is clear violation against God’s law. Matters pertaining among believers are to be resolved within the church, not in the civil courts.
Conclusion
We are to be truthful in our dealings with our fellow man. This means not perverting justice by showing respect of persons. Even in testifying against a family member that tries to lead one into following a false god, Deuteronomy 13:8 says, "Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him." Even such must be exposed for their wickedness. Justice demands it.
No comments:
Post a Comment