In 1994, when South Africa made the transition from government of apartheid to a democratic system. The country’s leaders faced the difficult question of how to address the crimes committed under apartheid, however they couldn’t ignore the problems of the past by imposing harsh punishments.
Through establishing the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, the new democracy chose the difficult path of pursuing truth, justice, and mercy. Those guilty of crimes were offered a path to restoration—if they were willing to confess their crimes and seek to make compensation. Only by bravely facing the truth could the country begin to find healing.
In a way, South Africa’s dilemma reflects the struggle we all face. We’re called “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8). But mercy is often misunderstood to be a lack of accountability, while pursuing justice can become distorted into pursuing punishment.
The only path forward is “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”(Romans 12:9) but also longs for the transformation and good of our “neighbor”. Through the power of Christ’s Spirit, we can learn what it means to have a future of overcoming evil with good.
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