Living Justice: Introductory Thoughts

Living Justice: Introductory Thoughts

Lately I have been reading and learning much about the subject of justice. I must say that I am both outraged and encouraged by the things that I read. Rarely am I confronted with a situation that fails to leave me both brokenhearted and optimistic.

Many estimate that there are currently many more men, women, and children involved in the modern-day slave trade than at any time during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Worldwide, individuals are forced into slave labor or work in sweatshops earning barely enough to survive, land is seized illegally, and children are sexually exploited en masse. On our own shores, decorated veterans struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder and are forced to live on the streets because our own government, churches, and civic organizations have refused to get involved. Inner city and rural teens slip into worlds of violence and drug abuse because in many cases there is little else to occupy their time. HIV and AIDS education abounds, but thousands die daily from the horrible disease.

Yet nonprofits and governments are working to combat these problems. International Justice Mission, Christian Solidarity, and Free the Slaves are very active in working to combat the causes of poverty and prosecute the perpetrators of injustice. IJM has taskforces working throughout the world to apprehend perpetrators and rehabilitate those involved in child prostitution. World Vision, Compassion International, and others also work to free children from bondage and provide them with the tools necessary to succeed (food, clothing, shelter, clean drinking water, child-friendly places, education, and technical/vocational skills). Volunteers serve at soup kitchens, tutor students who are falling behind in their studies, and alternative programs are becoming available in our cities and towns. The U.S. government spends millions of dollars annually (at home and abroad) on providing necessities, development assistance, disaster relief, educational materials, strength, and support.

Yet somehow, ignorance abounds. Many of our churches have missed the boat. We simply refuse to help others, and find ways to excuse ourselves from becoming active in the fight for justice. Conservative leaders refer to feeding the homeless and helping those less fortunate than ourselves as the social gospel in a failed attempt to diminish their own responsibility. Many believe that this social gospel is not the true gospel, and therefore all of their efforts are instead turned only toward evangelism and discipleship.

Now, before my inbox fills up with letters of protest and disgust let me say this: evangelism and discipleship are incredibly important to the Christian community. However, they are not the only tools with which God has given us to impact our world. I have heard it said that it is much easier to hear and understand the gospel after the growling of one’s stomach subsides and men and women have seen the love of God in action not just from behind a lectern. Personally, I have set through worship services, chapel services, and class lectures where the importance of the gospel were expounded, yet the alleviation of human suffering and need were never once mentioned.

Read the words of Jesus as he begins his public ministry: “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, sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Before we allegorize Christ’s words as all alluding only to the spiritual work of the gospel let us remind ourselves of the many physical needs that Christ met while on earth.

Those who suffer greatly often have a sense of hopelessness further exacerbated by feeling that others have forgotten about them. Let’s let those who suffer needlessly know that we have not forgotten them.