Social Justice verses Biblical Justice
This topic is a touchy one at best. Because there are political issues that are intertwined within it. It has been my contention that many Christians disobey God’s word on one hand by endorsing those who oppress the unfortunate because they support one biblical value. Granted the murder of children is a heinous act and should not occur. However, in voting for one side of the political spectrum because of this and other issues like it the Christian is failing to live a godly virtue. Namely, the health care, the homelessness, and economic oppression of the most vulnerable in society.
To provide context I will point the conversation to the “Good Samaritan” in Luke 10: 30-37. Jesus is of course explaining how a man had been beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest and Levite both see the man and pass by him on the other side of the road. Then along comes a Samaritan man who cares for him, dresses his wounds, took him to the nearest inn and paid for his food and lodging until the time that the man no longer required it. This is social justice at its most basic form. The care and love given to a person unable to meet their own needs.
Objectively, one might say this is the job of the church and indeed it is. However, is it also not true that the believer should engage politically to fight for those unable to fight for themselves? There is also a social responsibility of the believer to look out for those in need. The fact that many people and indeed many Christians are making money hand over fist on the sale of drugs and healthcare to those who need them to survive is wrong. “People profiting off of the health of others is not in my opinion a Christlike virtue.” I am not talking about the health workers here; I am talking about the investors who have made a business out of the suffering of people. The fact that you have many, in this very wealthy country, choosing between eating and the drugs they need to survive is abhorrent. Children growing up in gross poverty where the food they need to survive is not sufficient to meet their physical needs is a social injustice.
The article by John Simmons referenced in the footnotes below [1] points to communism as the either/or option to the problem and this is a serious misrepresentation and is frankly abusive. Is it not possible to have both empathy and care for the needy without requiring they prove they are not just taking advantage of the system. Doesn’t the fact that the gap between those who have and those who do not have, prove the system is broken?
“For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. 8If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (1 Tim. 6: 7-10, NASB).”
Peering back to the previous post about belief I am convinced that many in their pursuit of possessions have shown who their true “love” is. If we believe in Jesus and what He stood for then we will act as He did. He was not concerned about tomorrow or comfort for today. Rather, He lived and gave of His whole life for those whom He loved. Namely the whole world. He did not preface that with only if they meet certain criteria. Rather His sacrifice was complete and for every human that has lived since His death and resurrection. Jesus was not concerned with being taken advantage of by the world. Why then are we so concerned with it?
To follow the Lord means to give up your rights and do, as He has asked you to do. Do not fail to do as He asks. Maybe you have been convicted by this message. I implore you to repent and really seek Jesus and ask Him how He wants you to live your life. Then do it! No matter the cost, because great will be your reward in Heaven.
If you have not received Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I implore you to do so now. All He asks for is for you to accept the free gift He gave you. Therefore, humble yourself and acknowledge that Jesus is Lord of all. He alone is all powerful and you submit to His authority. Next you must believe He did what He did. That is; die on a cross and rise again from the dead. These are both actions of faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for with evidence not seen. Meaning you believe even though you don’t have physical evidence to prove it. I know you made it to this page for a reason and the Holy Spirit is working on your heart. The Father has drawn you and He alone can reveal to you the truth of what I am saying. I know that He is now, and you need to take a step of faith and pray these words with me.
Right where you are; say these words out loud: “Jesus I confess that you are Lord of all, I yield my will to your will for you are greater than me. I believe you came to this world and lived a sinless life; I believe you suffered and died on cross for my sins, I believe they put your lifeless body in a tomb, and three days later you rose from the dead. I confess to you that I am a sinner and ask you to forgive me. I also ask that you send me your Holy Spirit to give me power to live a sanctified life and to lead me into all truth. In Jesus name, Amen.”
If you prayed that prayer, I urge you to contact us here so that we might come beside you and hold you up in prayer as you begin your journey with Jesus. I assure you that we have all been where you are. We may have committed different sins, but we are just as guilty, nonetheless. We all needed forgiveness and someone else supported us as we began our Journey with Him.
Thank you for joining me today as we searched the scriptures for What the Word is Saying. I pray that God will send His Holy Spirit into our lives anew and fill us again with His love and His purpose for us. So that we can fulfill the mission He left us in bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.
“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” lockman.org.
[1] John Simmons, “Liberty Champion: The Official Student Newspaper of Liberty University,” Liberty Champion: The Official Student Newspaper of Liberty University (Liberty University, November 16, 2020), https://www.liberty.edu/champion/2020/11/opinion-social-justice-is-not-the-same-as-biblical-justice/.
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