Social Justice and Discipleship
February 14, 2006 · Print This Article
“Live like Jesus did and the world will listen.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
The more I read, study, work, and dialog the more I see that to be a force for justice in this world is far more about discipleship than about insightfully analyzing social problems. Why might I think that a lack of discipleship is the real reason social justice efforts have been so difficult? Do social justice and the ministry of reconciliation truly require the highest level of discipleship? Is it right to intimate that the life of sacrifice and commitment that justice requires is true discipleship?
What do we really mean when we assert that social justice is at the core of what it is to be a Christian? What is discipleship? What is its cost? What does that have to do with a social justice conversation anyway?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s most famous quote might be: “When Christ calls a man he bids him come and die.†I have always believed in the high cost of discipleship and we can see in scripture how the response of the disciples is an act of obedience, not merely a confession of faith in Jesus.
To borrow from Bonhoeffer again: “It is not enough for man simply to recover right ideas about God, or to obey his will in the isolated actions of his life. No, man must be refashioned as a living whole in the image of God. His whole for, body, soul, and spirit, must once more bear that image on earth.”
Ephesians 4:22-24 tells us that “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” And 5:11 tells us to “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.”
Galatians 2:20 says of the Christian: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
What do these tenets of the Christian faith have to do with a social justice ministry? What do you think of when you read these verses and then go back and read through our conversations thus far and the admonition of the prophets (Isaiah 1:11, 17, Amos 5:21-24, Isaiah 58:6-7, Micah 6:8, and 100 others we’ve yet to look at).
We can read through Psalms and Proverbs to know that “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you” (Psalm 89:14) and that “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.” (Proverbs 28:5) and how “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.” (Proverbs 29:7).
What will it take to be a just church? Please pray, meditate, and share you thoughts on these things.
The church can be just by individual believers having and giving a correct image of God to the world in their sphere of influence…even giving a cup of cold water in His Name. Believers are called to participate in His Work of Redemption and bring the message to individuals that God IS Just and it cost Jesus His Life on the Cross. Romans 5:8
“Love Provides What Justice Demands”
The Disciples were in “the academy of Love” and so are believing believers today.
First Corinthians 13:1-3
John 13,15
To be just or righteous means to set things right.
Christ came to give full restoration. Restoration of wholeness as man was before the fall. That is our message, which is our call our God can, will and does restore completely!
Compassion is doing, Love is solving (restoring).
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4, Isaiah 61)
Looks to me like the word (and WORD) of God heals, sets free, and can deliver good news to the poor.
We must submit ourselves to God’s plan.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— the LORD, who remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. (Psalm 146)
Disciple: One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another. An active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy.
It is our responsibility to be Christ here and now.
Christian: Little Christ.
Suffix
1. adj. From, related to, or like; utopian
2. n. One from, belonging to, relating to, or like; politician
3. of, or in small version
As an Ambassador (2Cor 5:20) and adopted child (Eph 1:15; Rom 8:15) we have the authority of God and resources of God to accomplish what Jesus did here on this earth.
In fact, we have a responsibility to. (Luke 12, specifically vs. 46-48 with power from vs. 22-34) We must seek His kingdom (completeness, shalom, restoration on earth) and things will still be added to you. We are then rewarded for acting on our responsibility.
God never does anything half-way!!
Just a thought - in Luke it says to “… give to those in NEED” It doesn’t attach “worthy” to it.
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This post has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said…
Just a thought - in Luke it says to “… give to those in NEED” It doesn’t attach “worthy” to it.
5:58 PM
I don’t necessarily disagree with the above statement, but for sake of reference could you share the verse in Luke you are referring to?
Thanks!
I am not sure what specific verse was being referred to… but here are a few relevant ones:
Luke 12:33 says:
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
Luke 18:22 says:
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”