THE REQUIREMENT
By Daniel R. Ruhweza UCLF
President-Emeritus
I
was recently invited to speak to a small group of Ugandans about the role of
Justice and the rule of the law in national transformation. As we explored the
word of God regarding this subject, one of the attendees asked – Where are the
Christian lawyers? Do they even exist? What are they doing to resolve these
issues?
In
response to these questions, we made reference to Micah 6: 8 as the point of review. That Scripture states ‘He has shown you, O man, what is good. And
what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and love mercy and to walk
humbly before your God? (Micah 6: 8). I have always felt that this was a befitting
Scripture for Christian lawyers and especially their social justice arms which
are involved in providing free legal services. However, it also heavily dawned
on me that this requirement is not for only Christian lawyers, but for all and
sundry (all people). The Scripture doesn’t indicate that the instruction is
only for lawyers but for ‘all of man’. The call is to all of us – regardless of
our position, rank, nationality and employment (and even height).
We
are all (regardless of colour ad creed), the subject of the command that makes
reference to ‘O Man’ and therefore, we are all required to do
a)
… Justice which about ensuring fair
treatment of all, not just in the courtrooms but also in the other aspects of
society – be it economics, land and environmental justice, opportunities for
study, etc. All employees and employers
– regardless of whether they are practitioners of the law or not – are required
to promote justice;
b) … and love mercy (kindness/compassion) once again a call – not
only for lawyers pleading in mitigation for their clients who have been
convicted of crime, but also for the less fortunate, the injured, the destitute
and even for the depressed –
c) … walk humbly – this is a requirement for all of us once again.
To desist from being like Nebuchadnezzar who thought himself mighty and
powerful, only to be reduced into the status of an animal until he recognised
that only GOD was Supreme (Daniel 4: 25-
35) or the rich fool whose life was required of him for he didn’t consider
God in all his plans (Luke 12:20)
May
we not forget that regardless of whether our legal ‘‘practice’’ is in the halls
of justice or not, wherever we are placed, the requirement in Micah 6: 8 is upon the Christian lawyer
the bastion/citadel of hope. Nonetheless, this call is also for all the
children of GOD who hearken unto his call (including each and very Christian
who answers to the name of the Lord)
Prayer: Almighty God, may we
never at one moment forget that you call us all – regardless of colour and
creed – to do justice, and love mercy and
to walk humbly before your God. Guide us on what we ought to do and how we
ought to do it. Show us where we have ignored to do as commanded and give us
the wisdom and tenacity never to depart from your ways
Action point/ Discussion: What is the Lord saying
to you and what are you going to do about it?
