Of Social “Justice”

In the mind of Christians the words “Missions Trip” has very specific connotations where you are out intentionally spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through your actions and through witnessing; simply being very “evangelical”. It has now become trendy to term everything social justice. I understand that many times using Christian terms can turn people off to the whole idea simply because of the things done under the banner of missions. The instant example coming to mind being the crusades, meant to convert the unbelieving heathens of the world; ended up destroying much of our credibility for centuries. Not to mention the belief that we do the converting is preposterous in the first place.

Social Justice projects will never change anything unless they are truly centered around the TRUE GOSPEL. And that gospel being the fact that we have all fallen short of the grace of God, are all bound by the sins of this world, and it is only through the blood of Christ and repentance that we can be set free. Does knowing this fact alone solve anything? Of course not! Again the world we live in is a fallen place under the bondage of a real enemy. It will only be solved at the end of this age when the Kingdom of God is revealed and all is fully restored.

I want to make it very clear that I think Christians should be leading the charge on many issues facing the world today. For instance extreme poverty, AIDS epidemic, millions of children without a home and so on. But when did leading these charges become god and not as a response to God? The Bible says to Seek First the Kingdom of God. You can argue up and down how it applies, but the simplest meaning of this charge is to first and foremost seek the Kingdom and what it is to live with the mindsets of such a Kingdom.

In this Kingdom, the last shall be first. In this Kingdom the one who loses His life will gain it! In this Kingdom it is God who guides our footsteps not the needs of the people. The idea of find a need fill a need does not apply to this Kingdom. Instead we start with the very basic need of mankind; a sacrificial lamb to set us all free from the bondage that has cursed man since the fall. It is from this that we are compelled, by our love for Christ and what He has done, that we spread the Gospel through our actions!

I can imagine many of us have had conversations a lot like the following…

On a missions trip
Local Person: “Thank you so much for the help you have given us.”
Christian: “No problem, it’s what I love to do.”
Local Person: “Really? Why do you love it so much?”
Christian: “Because I love people.”
Local Person: “How can just loving people compel you to help them?”
Christian: “We are all human and that at some point we all need help.”

Sure I just created this example and I have creative control over the reactions, but how many times have we missed true Gospel sharing moments? Instead of pointing to Christ and how it’s through His grace that we can have freedom; we just beat around the bush and talk in vague and safe terms. Granted it can be hard to take that step, but all it really is is being honest with someone as to why you are helping them! It’s not like this person came up to you and started debating. In this moment this person’s heart is extremely ready to receive the grace of God through your actions you simply need to follow through and explain the why behind the what.

I heard a quote the other day that said something like this “Today Christians pray for safety and for provision; the Apostles prayed for boldness and to be used no matter the cost.” Personally I believe that Christians are some of the biggest perpetrators of injustice by often times never seeking to address the biggest injustice of them all. The injustice of sin and it’s grip on mankind.

As we look at the world we must be called to action; there is no doubt of that fact in my mind. But we must first acknowledge that it is with the understanding that Christ’s sacrifice is our basis for all things. After all, He did not say “go into all the world and solve it’s problems.”

A closing prayer:
Heavenly Father, may we always seek first Your Kingdom and the will You have for our lives and the lives we are to touch. May we always have an open ear to Your Spirit and what You would have us say; when serving those around us through our actions. Forgive us for missing those opportunities to show others who You are and the grace that you have brought through Your Son Jesus Christ. As we respond to the callings we each have, may it be for Your glory and nothing else. Let Your Holy Spirit be our helper not only in those moments but in our every day. With the understanding that we as Christians do not adhere to this world, but to Your Kingdom, we ask You send us where You will, and give us the boldness to stand up for the cause of Christ. May all this be sealed in Jesus’ name, amen.