219 – Rules Aren’t for Their Own Sake

Rules enforced without injury are just an excuse to boss other people around. God made rules for justice and justice is not moot. Rules were made to govern people, to help us all enjoy better lives. Once rules impede on a better life without bringing much more and better vibrancy, those rules become unjust.

Legally, courts often require “standing” in order to press charges. A “concerned citizen” can be a witness as a “bystander”, but only if there is a victim with a measurable “injury”. This is an argument against enforcing “J-walking” when no traffic is present, but that opens a long debate on whether any civil law, including traffic laws, should be enforced unless a crime has been committed against a specific person. But, in God’s sense of justice, J-walking is only “wrong” if it interferes with traffic because true justice is only, always, ever about doing what is right by other people.

Enforcing rules that don’t affect you—putting yourself as the self-appointed cop over people who aren’t bothering you—to stop others from doing something that isn’t hurting anybody isn’t “justice”; it’s “bossing”. Even if someone might be committing a crime, inform the police and let them handle it; don’t pursue and don’t try to enforce. As a witness to a murder, you might keep a loose tail to help police track the killer, but not always—and only if you know what you’re doing.

Witnessing a crime doesn’t deputize anyone. Sadly, many people anoint themselves judge, jury, and executioner. That is no life to live. Never let yourself be the busy-body sticking his nose where it don’t belong.

God gets a bad wrap when “morals” are misrepresented as an excuse for busy-bodies to meddle in other people’s lives. Busy-bodies only boss others because they want a distraction from their own lack of good results.

Justice begins with minding one’s own life, by prospering at home and in one’s own business, then involving others to bless and protect them. Give your justice to the world by being just and fair to your own priorities—by completing your goals as an inspiration to others. And, if you encounter a busy-body, say as much.