Social Justice

Matthew Robinson, PhD shares that social justice is “promoting a just society by challenging injustice and valuing diversity”. Further, we see descriptions as “justice in terms of distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society” and “The fair and proper administration of laws conforming to the natural law that all persons, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc., are to be treated equally and without prejudice”. This last definition sounds very similar to our understanding of civil rights.

In line with the definition Robinson offered, I’d like to challenge those of us who are followers of Christ to promote a just society, not only in our local areas but abroad, by taking part in challenging injustices that are perpetrated against those who are being preyed upon. 

External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this; to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world. (James 1:27AMP)

Brother James gives a solid word to us in this passage. The socially powerless are to be cared for, loved, and nurtured by believers. In James’ time, orphans and widows had no direct means of support or any legal defenders so these specific members of society were addressed. Moving forward into the 21st century, we still see that opportunities to care for others absolutely abound in our world. It may look a little different than in James’ day but we cannot ignore the encouragement given here as it relates to those in today’s world who are symbolically equivalent to these named.

I encourage all believers to ask the Lord where He desires for you to involve yourself for the good of others and for His glory. God loves every one of His created beings. And His desire for all of us is good. How can you partner with God and your brothers and sisters in the faith to bring the good news of Christ to others and come alongside those who need support, equipping, rescue, and other practical resources?

“The call to the work of justice is therefore not God sending His church out to a place where God cannot be found. Rather, God is inviting us to a place where He is already at work. It is here, among the world’s most vulnerable, that the Good News of God turns out to be very good indeed. In the work of injustice, God is beckoning us to experience His profound love for us and for the vulnerable of this world. The call to fight against injustice is therefore the call to intimacy with God and to deep discipleship.” - Jim Martin, author of The Just Church