Over the past months I’ve watched and read various viewpoints from people who have feelings on where our country and world are headed. I was taught that there were two subjects that have the most chance to divide people at the dinner table – politics and religion. Throw in some deeply held convictions and ideologies, and things can go awry quickly.
I work to stay out of political talk, especially in today’s climate. Religion, well, people have different definitions of what that means to them. As a pastor, I look to lead people into an ever growing relationship with Jesus. God’s love for us brought Him to give Jesus in order to bring us back into relationship with Him. Call that religion and I won’t disagree with you.
What has troubled me has been a blurring of the lines between the two subjects, and the misappropriation or misrepresentation of God in order to try to prove a person’s point. As the father of four millennials, I get to hear firsthand the sculpted phrases and arguments that are being presented today to further ideologies. I realize that this can happen from different sides, so know that I am not championing one rhetoric over another. What I want to do below is to address some of these items in the same way I have at home. My kids were surprised with some of this information, because they had either no heard it before, or it had been misrepresented in an argument they had heard or read. My hope is that this will be a help to you if you had any questions.
Jesus Was Not An Advocate For “Social Justice”.
Social justice is a rallying cry for many causes these days. I did a google search for the term, and found varied definitions for it. The National Education Association website defines it as:
“Social justice refers to a concept in which equity or justice is achieved in every aspect of society rather than in only some aspects or for some people.”
In most of the articles and definitions I found, this “social justice” requires some governing or authoritative body to administer this justice.
Jesus was not an advocate for “social justice”. He was an advocate of justice – period. He understood that God’s justice, if adhered to, would insure that people would be treated properly. He spoke often about the fair treatment of people, and was an advocate for those who were in the lower strata of life. (Luke 14:7-14)
The foundations of His teachings dealt with each person caring for their neighbor. Jesus taught that each person should love God with all their heart and strength, and love their neighbor as themselves. The care of others was given to each of us to take and contribute to. This is done at a personal level.
Mark 12
28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”
29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Jesus did not come to become involved in the ruling government or politics of the time. He understood that the way to change the world was to change people’s hearts. The lust for power and wealth found in the Emperor or King was found in the merchant, the religious leader, the Centurion, the soldier, and others that passed by on the street. The only difference was the position that the person currently held. An unjust heart, consumed with self-interest and ambition, will protect itself at the detriment of others. Jesus knew the shifting of power from one entity to another would not solve the world’s ills. He came with a higher purpose – to restore relationship between God and mankind. He knew that as people came into this relationship and allowed God to change them, they would make moral decisions that would please God and benefit their fellow man.
We must realize that the same type of self-serving mentality that exists on Wall Street exists in our government as well. We see it in our churches, our businesses, our schools. The person in line with you at the supermarket could have that same mentality, which is why they cut you off to get in front of you in line. Those who seek power for themselves will find it and fight to wield it. That is why our founding fathers were so deliberate in structuring our government, and in their statements regarding it.
Jesus Was Not a Socialist
Jesus taught that each person should look to out for their neighbor. In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan, illustrating this type of care.
Jesus did not teach the taking of resources from others to be used for that care. Anything that was used in such manner was done so willingly by the giver. In Acts chapter 4 we are told that those who had lands or houses sold them and brought them to the disciples for distribution. This was a willing act. This was not a mandated redistribution of wealth. People of the early church did this to help their fellow believers.
Jesus did not teach equal opportunity and equal outcome. This is best illustrated in the Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14-28). The servants that put forth the effort and followed the instructions of their master were rewarded, while the one who did nothing was not. Jesus was a strong advocate for personal responsibility, a theme that flowed through His teachings.
Jesus Did Not Vilify All Those He Didn’t Agree With
Jesus did confront the leadership of the Jewish Faith during His ministry – but He did not paint them all with the same brush. He understood that there were good men among the Pharisees as well as bad. Many of the Jewish leaders had appropriated the faith and used it to serve their own ideology and purposes. While He called them out for it, He also longed for them to turn from their ways. There were Pharisees that believed in Him, some openly, others in secret. In doing so he won some over. Remember, he was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin.
I’ve seen so many social media posts from one group of Christians vilifying another group that they don’t agree with. This is unacceptable. We may not agree on a subject, but that does not make either of us a reprobate, racist, homophobe, etc. The Apostle Paul admonished believers in this area in Titus 3:1-2,
1Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey them, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, but gentle, showing all humility toward everyone.
Drop the ideological rhetoric. God is not impressed with the militant stance for worldly things. People are dying and going into eternity without God. Be passionate about that. Be nice to others. God expects that out of each of us.
To see lasting change in our world, we are going to have to change it one person at a time. Changed hearts make changed minds. Those changes make for changed lives. Viral kindness. Viral godliness. It was Jesus’ pattern. It was the pattern of the early church. It is our pattern to follow today.
Thanks for listening, and have a great day!
