Social Justice
A few weeks ago, I was given the privilege to attend the Search for the Free Methodist Soul Symposium. Near the end of the first day, a paper on the topic of justice was shared by Pastor John Hay, Jr.
It rekindled my interest in the subject, and reminded me that it should always be in the forefront of my mind, and not something that comes up only in theological musings.
The Wikipedia defines Social Justice:
"Social Justice is a philosophical definition of justice, that is, giving individuals or groups their due within society as a whole. As a concept, "social justice" has fascinated philosophers ever since Plato rebuked the young Sophist, Thrasymachus, for asserting that justice was whatever the strongest decided it would be. The debate continues today as to whether it is possible to construct a reasoned set of criteria against which to determine objectively and universally what is 'socially just', or whether 'social justice' is merely determined by power, or the lack of it, or by changing custom."
In my mind, Social Justice is an urgent matter that requires attention, thought, and action. Jesus was all about justice.
“"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim
that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come.” –Luke 4.18-19
God speaks through the prophet Isaiah in regard to justice:
1"Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Tell my people Israel[a] of their sins! 2Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to hear my laws. You would almost think this was a righteous nation that would never abandon its God. They love to make a show of coming to me and asking me to take action on their behalf. 3`We have fasted before you!' they say. `Why aren't you impressed? We have done much penance, and you don't even notice it!'
"I will tell you why! It's because you are living for yourselves even while you are fasting. You keep right on oppressing your workers. 4What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. 5You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like a blade of grass in the wind. You dress in sackcloth and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD?
6"No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. 7I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8"If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. 9Then when you call, the LORD will answer. `Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply.
"Stop oppressing the helpless and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors! 10Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day. 11The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. 12Your children will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities.
I wonder what the Lord sees as he looks at his followers all around the world, as we live in relative opulence at the same time thousands starve to death.
So, how can we practice justice, and through justice, mercy? I believe that though acquiring a genuine love for people by seeking to see them as our God sees his children, our response will be the same as Jesus’.
Intentionally practicing justice in simple ways will cultivate a habitually Christ like lifestyle, that will not only shows justice and mercy, but brings those qualities about in the lives of those around them.
My natural inclination is to look towards the biggest need, become overwhelmed by the huge task, and put it off until later, or give it up as an impossibility. But, God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and a sound mind. He calls us to proclaim freedom to the captives (of prison, drugs, immorality, fear and doubt..), sight for the blind (of heart, mind, and spirit), and freedom from oppression (spiritual, mental, habitual, etc.). Have we become so acclimated to the degradation around us that we fail to see the great need in our own backyards?
For many of us, opportunities to practice justice and mercy are presented every day. Remember that homeless man downtown? That customer at work? Your own family?
We also must remember those outside our immediate realm of perception. Our brothers and sisters in China, India, Cambodia, Thailand, and all over the world who are persecuted because of their love for Jesus. Paul admonishes us to remember those who are in chains, as if we were there with them. I believe that we must make an extra effort to remember/reach out to those still undecided about Jesus. These are the ones that Jesus focused on. The sick who need a doctor. The widows and orphans who are oppressed in so many ways. These are our mandate!
I believe there are three main ways that we can obey Jesus call to these people.
1) Go.
This is the most obvious to me. If something needs fixing, why wait? Why send someone else if you are capable? A missionary to Africa once said about his calling to serve:
‘I saw a need, I felt like I could meet that need, I felt it would please God for me to meet the need, so I went.’
He has dedicated many, many years of his life to bringing justice, mercy, and hope to those in Africa. Isn’t this the attitude we should have? Whatever would please God (not what we think would please God) should be our only needed motivation.
2) Give.
I think you can see where this is going. Out of our abundance, we have the ability to give to others who have less, or have none. This should always be at the forefront of our minds as well.. Give up everything so that we, and others, may gain Christ.
3) Pray.
Again, a seemingly simple task, yet simultaneously an extremely important component of missions. Praying for support, peace, encouragement and for God to work in the hearts of his children is one of the most important things any Christian can do. Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send out workers in to the harvest field, and for a bountiful harvest!
It rekindled my interest in the subject, and reminded me that it should always be in the forefront of my mind, and not something that comes up only in theological musings.
The Wikipedia defines Social Justice:
"Social Justice is a philosophical definition of justice, that is, giving individuals or groups their due within society as a whole. As a concept, "social justice" has fascinated philosophers ever since Plato rebuked the young Sophist, Thrasymachus, for asserting that justice was whatever the strongest decided it would be. The debate continues today as to whether it is possible to construct a reasoned set of criteria against which to determine objectively and universally what is 'socially just', or whether 'social justice' is merely determined by power, or the lack of it, or by changing custom."
In my mind, Social Justice is an urgent matter that requires attention, thought, and action. Jesus was all about justice.
“"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim
that captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come.” –Luke 4.18-19
God speaks through the prophet Isaiah in regard to justice:
1"Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Tell my people Israel[a] of their sins! 2Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to hear my laws. You would almost think this was a righteous nation that would never abandon its God. They love to make a show of coming to me and asking me to take action on their behalf. 3`We have fasted before you!' they say. `Why aren't you impressed? We have done much penance, and you don't even notice it!'
"I will tell you why! It's because you are living for yourselves even while you are fasting. You keep right on oppressing your workers. 4What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. 5You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like a blade of grass in the wind. You dress in sackcloth and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD?
6"No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. 7I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8"If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. 9Then when you call, the LORD will answer. `Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply.
"Stop oppressing the helpless and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors! 10Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day. 11The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. 12Your children will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities.
I wonder what the Lord sees as he looks at his followers all around the world, as we live in relative opulence at the same time thousands starve to death.
So, how can we practice justice, and through justice, mercy? I believe that though acquiring a genuine love for people by seeking to see them as our God sees his children, our response will be the same as Jesus’.
Intentionally practicing justice in simple ways will cultivate a habitually Christ like lifestyle, that will not only shows justice and mercy, but brings those qualities about in the lives of those around them.
My natural inclination is to look towards the biggest need, become overwhelmed by the huge task, and put it off until later, or give it up as an impossibility. But, God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and a sound mind. He calls us to proclaim freedom to the captives (of prison, drugs, immorality, fear and doubt..), sight for the blind (of heart, mind, and spirit), and freedom from oppression (spiritual, mental, habitual, etc.). Have we become so acclimated to the degradation around us that we fail to see the great need in our own backyards?
For many of us, opportunities to practice justice and mercy are presented every day. Remember that homeless man downtown? That customer at work? Your own family?
We also must remember those outside our immediate realm of perception. Our brothers and sisters in China, India, Cambodia, Thailand, and all over the world who are persecuted because of their love for Jesus. Paul admonishes us to remember those who are in chains, as if we were there with them. I believe that we must make an extra effort to remember/reach out to those still undecided about Jesus. These are the ones that Jesus focused on. The sick who need a doctor. The widows and orphans who are oppressed in so many ways. These are our mandate!
I believe there are three main ways that we can obey Jesus call to these people.
1) Go.
This is the most obvious to me. If something needs fixing, why wait? Why send someone else if you are capable? A missionary to Africa once said about his calling to serve:
‘I saw a need, I felt like I could meet that need, I felt it would please God for me to meet the need, so I went.’
He has dedicated many, many years of his life to bringing justice, mercy, and hope to those in Africa. Isn’t this the attitude we should have? Whatever would please God (not what we think would please God) should be our only needed motivation.
2) Give.
I think you can see where this is going. Out of our abundance, we have the ability to give to others who have less, or have none. This should always be at the forefront of our minds as well.. Give up everything so that we, and others, may gain Christ.
3) Pray.
Again, a seemingly simple task, yet simultaneously an extremely important component of missions. Praying for support, peace, encouragement and for God to work in the hearts of his children is one of the most important things any Christian can do. Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send out workers in to the harvest field, and for a bountiful harvest!
posted by ATS at
3/25/2006
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