Christian Works or Social Justice

We hear a lot about social justice in our society today. I have even read that many Mainline churches are revitalizing their numbers through 'social justice' activities. One pastor claimed that since Jesus was involved in this type of activity, then we need to also be involved. This man is a pastor of a Mainline church in Manhattan, NY. But, I am not sure that Jesus was involved in the same type of work he is referring to. A lot of these churches (Mainline) are working in a realm of political and secular type social works. The definition of social justice is, according to Webster: a state or doctrine of egalitarianism. OK, now I'm sure you're asking, "What is egalitarianism?" According to Webster, a belief in human equality especially with respect to social, political, and economic affairs. So, was Jesus a socialist? I would have to say no; at least not in the sense we view a socialist today or according to the definition. According to Jesus, when it comes to salvation, we are all equal. Jesus grew up in a very modest home in regards to income and social status. Jesus never talked about politics or supported any type of political movement and He never denounced anyone's economical status, providing the person put God first. In this last example, the rich young ruler comes to mind. The rich young ruler could not part with his wealth and put the Lord first. And the Apostle Paul tells Timothy that it is the love of money which is the root of all kinds of evil and corrupts people, not just money itself. The Lord has many wealthy and successful followers today who are committed to the work of God and donate generously to that work. So, Jesus was not of the mindset that, if you have it you need to give it to everybody else. Paul told the Thessalonians,

 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”  2 Thess 3:10

 Jesus' view of equality was everyone is seen by God as equal and Jesus didn't just die on the cross for a few or a selected number but for all. Social Justice as we know it today did not play a part in Jesus' ministry. But, you might ask, "Didn't Jesus feed the masses and heal and restore life?" The answer is yes. But, He fed the masses out of compassion for them and as a method to increase the faith of His disciples and continue to allow them to see He was the Messiah. He had asked Phillip where they could find enough food to feed all the people and Phillip responded with a figure. But, Jesus wasn't really asking to get an answer to the situation since He already knew what He was going to do. He was testing Phillip. Now, some will say this situation is a classic example of socialism as we know it today because the young boy gave his bread and fish to help feed the crowd. Really? Five loaves of bread and two small fish to feed over 5,000 people? That's not going to happen. It took a miracle by Jesus to multiply the loaves and the fish to feed all these people and also to have left overs. This was a miracle performed by Jesus Himself. He didn't do it because He was a socialist, He did it to let everyone present see that He is Lord and nothing is beyond His capabilities and to glorify His Father. To prove this, when they all went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, they found Jesus and began to question Him about how and when He got there. (This followed the walking on the water event) He responded to them,

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs.  But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”        JN 6:26-27

He didn't tell them to learn from the socialist example He had set for them but to seek eternal life. Jesus was not a socialist; everything He did, He did for a reason and to bring glory to God the Father not to promote a better worldly atmosphere.
The social works of many of these religious organizations do nothing to increase or build the kingdom of God. Many do nothing in order to bring to suffering people the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Their agenda is set on racism, women's rights for abortion, gun control and many other political agendas. Where, in these so called battles, is there a path to salvation through Jesus Christ? The numbers in the mainline churches are increasing simply because it gives many people an organization in which they can fight these worldly battles. There is no interest in Jesus or salvation or, in many cases, there is no path to salvation provided.
Jesus did set an example for us in these workings of miracles. In showing His compassion and love for them by feeding or healing or restoring life, He was reaching their needs and that is the attention getter. They were able to see who He was and eventually what He would do for them. We, too, can use that example today as a means of reaching the lost souls of this world. When we provide for their needs and begin to tell them about Jesus, they will be willing to listen. Of course, not everyone is going to hear you out but I have fed a lot of people who eventually saw the love of Christ and accepted Him as their savior. Outreach ministry is so important in letting others know about Jesus. Just setting up in a public park, cooking hot dogs and feeding people is an easy way of reaching many with the gospel message.
My daughter and her husband, who is a pastor, are involved in getting the word out concerning trafficking in persons. The numbers of people who are enslaved in the world of human trafficking today is stunning. There are Christians involved in undercover work to expose these rings of human traffickers. Now, this is the kind of 'where the rubber meets the road work for Jesus.' Can you imagine, just imagine being trafficked and sold as a sex slave or prostitute and that is your everyday life. Can you image that life? I not sure I can but I can understand what it must be like. I can also understand how grateful these people must be to those who help free them. There are many being freed as a result of this undercover work and many are accepting Jesus when they are told about Him and how, through Jesus, these workers were able to expose these evil people who enslaved them. It is not only the undercover work but all those who work to bring this to the attention of a society which doesn't seem to want to know about it. This is a work for Jesus; it not only frees these people from their physical slavery but from the bondage of sin and evil. Jesus did that by driving the demons from people; they were freed from the sinful and evil of possession and given life with Jesus.
So, the next time you hear about social justice in the Church, stop and ask yourself, "Is this work bringing glory to Jesus or just satisfying a worldly cause?" James tells us we show our faith through the work we do for Jesus. If we feed the hungry, help the poor, tell the world about human trafficking, scrub the bathroom at church, teach Sunday School or pastor a church, are we doing it to glorify God or for some other selfish reason?
We can all be very busy in different types of works, but are we doing it for Jesus or for us? You might remember the story of the two sisters, Martha and Mary, While Jesus was at their home for dinner, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened as He taught and Martha was just busying herself in the preparation of the meal. Martha complained to Jesus that she was having to do all the work while her sister just sat there. Jesus explained that Mary in choosing to listen to Him had done the good thing and it's something she would never loose. So, just busying ourselves with what we might think is important work for God might not be anything but a distraction. Social activism within the Church can be very detrimental to the real work which needs to be done and is pushed aside to accommodate a work for the world.
We need to follow the examples set forth by Jesus and others we read about in His word. But, we must know what is a true work for Jesus and what is nothing more than a worldly agenda being served. If the work doesn't glorify God, it must be glorifying a worldly agenda.

--Bill Petite