An engaging family film, The Winslow Boy, tells the story of a 13-year-old who is accused of stealing and is expelled from a British military school. The father believes his son is innocent and marshals all his resources to defend him. As the case attracts public attention, many people rally behind the boy with the slogan “Let right be done.”

There is something within us that longs for justice for others and for ourselves. But there is only one aspect of justice that is fully within our control, and that is our behaviour toward others.

To a people who hurt the Lord deeply by their selfishness and unjust treatment of others, the prophet Micah said, “The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8). What does the Lord long for from us? He wants action (“do what is right”), affection (“love mercy”), and association (“walk humbly with your God”).

As Christians, instead of demanding “Let right be done to me,” may our rallying cry become “Let right be done by me.” Great things can happen when we say, “In my family, in my community, in my workplace, in every relationship, let right be done by me!”.