Just & Fair

by John Tilton on February 12, 2024

SCRIPTURE:

"Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”
Leviticus 19:15

OBSERVATION:

After setting in place the sacrificial system, God then begins to teach the people how to live a life of forgiveness with obedience so that they would be pleasing to God. In this one verse God instructs the people of Israel to be just by acting in a fair and impartial way to others; and that they would not treat the poor or rich different, but to treat all fairly. It’s very interesting that God would instruct this being that slavery was an integral and common part of society in those times. We also recall that those with titles, rank, position and wealth were treated with the utmost respect and favor. What was God saying then? He was instructing the people to treat people with fairness rather than who they are in terms of position, status, and wealth.

APPLICATION:

This scripture is a great reminder to me as a pastor and leader. Do I show partiality to those that are closer to me, those that can be of benefit to me or my ministry; or those that have rank, title, position or celebrity status? I always go back to my mom’s old saying of “the law of the land is self-preservation.” Am I guilty at times of thinking of self? Have I gone out of my way to spend time and conversation with those that work into my plans and aspirations? As a leader, I know that with people, more is caught than taught; and more is concluded by observation rather then words. What example am I setting as a leader in terms of having the character of being just and fair where people respect and receive my instruction, direction, counsel, and words?

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for checking my spirit today for the mantle you’ve give me as a husband, father, pastor, leader, and prayerfully a man after your heart. Thus, I pray that you will impart in me a spirit of justice and fairness in how I treat, lead, love, and shepherd those that I have the honor to lead and influence. May I be mindful to have a heart that seeks the benefit of others rather than self. May I have a heart to see and love people as Christ sees them.

About the Author

John Tilton

Senior Pastor John Tilton has served at New Hope Oahu since it’s launch in 1995, and has been on staff in administration and as executive pastor for the past 14 years. The values and heart behind New Hope run deeply through Pastor John’s veins as he has trained, learned, and was mentored closely by Pastor Wayne.

A graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapālama and the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Pastor John holds his Masters in Formational Leadership from Lancaster Bible College & Capital Seminary. He has served in various leadership, mentorship, and advisory roles in ministry and in the marketplace. He currently serves as Vice President of New Hope International and is on the Board of Directors of both Pacific Rim Christian University and New Hope Christian College.

Pastor John is married to his amazing wife Lanu, is father to his son Ikaika, daughter Malie, son-in-law Noni, is Papa to his grandchildren Justice, Johanna, and Jordynn, all of whom serve in ministry as a family together at New Hope Oahu.

Pastor John’s heart is to love and shepherd the people of New Hope Oahu––both here on Oahu and globally across the world. He will seek to continue to develop leaders, enable people here to dream with vision and purpose for God’s unique call on their lives, and, most importantly, to seek God as He faithfully guides our church so that we can fully become the church, and the people, He has created and called us to be.