How does being a Christian affect social justice in our city?
The Rouge Side vs the Glory Side of the cross
The fact that as believers we depict something so gruesome as so beautiful
The same cross represents victory, joy, freedom; but ALSO the wrath of God!
Romans 3:23
ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Psalm 145:17
The Lord is near to ALL who call on Him.
Romans 8:32
He did not spare his own Son but game him up for us ALL.
2 Corinthians 5:15
He died for ALL, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died
The cross is the starting point for every one of us.
The cross compels us
2 Corinthians 5:14
For the love of Christ compels us, having concluded that this one died for all.
And so God is calling YOU.
Every single person in this room is called to be
A change agent in this world.
You are the salt of the earth
You are a light in the darkeness
You are chosen by God, dearly loved, and commissioned for a purpose
The question isn’t “should I respond to this”
The question is “HOW DO I respond to this”
Because Justice is at the very core of the heart of our God.
What is Social Justice?
The core belief is this:
Social Justice is leveling the playing field based on what SOCIETY thinks is right.
Even the best of intentions can MISS IT when you pull Jesus OUT of it and instead base it on a majority thought process.
So I’m begging you, Church, keep JESUS IN it!
As Christians, by this definition, SOCIAL justice is not what we should care about. But JUSTICE in our SOCIETY IS.
God IS Just:
Deuteronomy 32:4
A God of faithfulness and without sin, just and upright is he.
Psalm 89:14
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
Isaiah 61:8
For I, the Lord, love justice.
Isaiah 30:18
For the Lord is a God of justice
Deuteronomy 10:18
He executed justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows his love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.
Arizona Christian University Study: only 39% of Americans view human life as sacred or as having unconditional intrinsic worth.
With such a small percentage of our population believing any person intrinsically has value, it’s no wonder people are abused, used and shoved aside so easily today.
Human Trafficking.
It is estimated that there are 40.2 million slaves in the world today.
People here who are forced, coaxed or coerced into a life of bondage and abuse. Trapped with seemingly no way out.
Foster Care.
Foster care is a necessary thing in our society because there’s a HUGE need for safe homes for children.
Right now, today there are 9,000 children in foster care in MARION COUNTY alone.
That’s 1/100 HUMAN BEINGS in our county that is a foster kid.
Church, we need to wake up and rise up.
We need to do better.
These issues CAN AND SHOULD be taken care of by the church
Because we are compelled by the CROSS.
It starts with us praying:
“God, send us the vulnerable, the broken, the addicted”
I’m begging you to pray that prayer.
Proverbs 31:9
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Without the cross of Jesus,
it’s all just “good works and hoping”
Are we truly going to live for Jesus in EVERY area and allow the cross to compel us to serve others?
