Is Social Justice The Gospel?
We keep hearing about social justice in the mass media. It appears that many liberal churches are concerned about social justice too. I’m more concerned about churches than the mass media. The liberal church that I mentioned last week talked about social justice under their about tab on their website. So it begs the question: Is social justice the Gospel?
Social justice is not the Gospel. Not only is social justice not the Gospel, but it typically appears to be anti-capitalist and pro-socialism. Are there real concerns about injustices around the world? Of course there are. Slavery is wrong and unfortunately there are an estimated 40 million people enslaved around the world (per a Washington Post article dated 9/19/17). Along with slavery, child labor is also wrong and horrific. Sex trafficking is horrendous and all abortions are murder.
There are many things that are wrong in the world today, but churches giving into social pressures or being consumed with social justice is not the answer. Don’t get me wrong, Christians should help others out whenever we can. When Jesus walked this earth 2,000 years ago, He healed the sick and lame. Jesus gave sight to the blind and the Lord even raised people from the dead. So He did good and helped people. The miracles pointed to Jesus being the Messiah, the promised One.
Jesus Mainly Preached The Gospel
But Jesus mainly preached the Gospel everywhere He went. In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.”
Don’t miss this. Yes, Jesus helped people by healing those who needed healing Yes, Jesus fed 5,000 and 4,000 people at different times. But the main thing Jesus did was preach the Gospel! The Gospel is not social justice! Christians and churches should not get caught up in social justice. We should preach the Gospel.
A saved life is a changed life. I have a friend who used to be on drugs, but praise God, the Lord saved him several years ago. My friend just told me that he was able to lead his former drug dealer through a discipleship program. He didn’t tell me this to say, “look what I ‘m doing.” No, my friend is very humble. He was sharing this with me so I could join him in praising God for what God is doing.
The true way to change the world is to share the Gospel with this lost and dying world. God is the one who saves lost souls and many times, He chooses to do so, one soul at a time. But this is how you see real change – by people repenting from their sins and surrendering their lives to Jesus Christ the Lord.
True Christians Treat Others Right
When Jesus is truly Lord of your life, you will treat other people like you should. No government or social program has to tell you to do that. Because God first loved you, you will love others. So social justice is not the answer; no, salvation found in Christ alone is the answer to society’s problems. The Gospel is what needs to be proclaimed near and far.
Acts 10:34-43 describes when the Apostle Peter shared the Gospel with Cornelius, his family and friends. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
That word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hung on a tree:
Him, God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.
Having Everything Exactly The Same Is Unbiblical
God is not a respecter of persons. This doesn’t mean that God thinks every person should have everything exactly the same – such as everyone have the same amount of money (social justice). Jesus told the parable of the servants that were given varying amounts of coins, one was given five coins, another was given two and the last one was given one (Matthew 25:14-30). God not being a respecter of persons means that God doesn’t show favoritism. There is nothing in us that makes God show us partiality. No, God is sovereign and He does as He pleases (Psalm 115:3).
These verses in Acts 10 also tell us that Jesus is Lord of all. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord (Romans 14:11). Oh, but you must do so in this life. Repent of your sins and surrender your life to Jesus. Do this today. Surrender your life fully and completely to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus performed miracles (did good deeds) and these miracles proved that Jesus is the one who fulfilled the Scriptures. He is the promised Messiah, the Christ, the Savior of mankind. The miracles prove that Jesus is the promised One, but the miracles are not the Gospel.
What Is The Gospel?
The Gospel is that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit and He lived a perfect, sinless life. He always obeyed the will of God the Father. Jesus never sinned in thought, word or deed. Yet He suffered, bled and died on the cross, according to the Scriptures. Jesus was buried and rose victoriously from the grave three days later.
Jesus defeated sin, death, Hell and Satan. The Lord Jesus died in the place of guilty sinners; that is guilty sinners who repent and put their trust in Him. Jesus came to save His people from their sins. You are one of His if you repent and put your faith in the Lord. He is the only way of salvation. There is no other.
Those of us who are saved, that have been born again, are commanded to share the Gospel with others. And he said unto them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:18-20).
How Can They Hear Without A Preacher?
Yes, we are to share the Gospel with others because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher (Romans 10:14)?
Also in Acts 10, Peter says: through Jesus’ name whosoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins. Salvation is through Christ Jesus alone. Those who repent and believe the Gospel receive eternal life. Those of us who repent of our sins and surrender our lives fully and completely to Jesus are saved; gloriously saved. Our sins have been forgiven. When you are born again, God remembers your sins no more. He casts your sins as far as the East is from the West (Psalm 103:12).
Anyone that thinks forgiveness of sin gives them a license to sin has undoubtedly missed salvation. When you truly see your sinfulness and God’s Holiness and the amazing sacrifice of Jesus Christ, you absolutely cannot abuse your salvation. You just can’t continue sinning willfully against the One who gave His all for you. This doesn’t mean that you are perfect and will never sin. No, but when you do sin, it should grieve you. If not, I plead with you to examine yourself to see if you are in the faith.
Desire To Help Others
Once a person repents and puts their trust in Christ, when a person truly becomes a follower of Jesus, then they will desire to help others. Helping people in need is a good thing and we don’t do good deeds for our salvation. No one can work their way to Heaven. We are to help out those that we can help. But social justice is not the Gospel. Any professing Christian or church that promotes social justice needs to repent and truly follow Jesus Christ the Lord.
The focus for Christians and the true body of Christ (the church) is to share the glorious Gospel with this lost and dying world and to make disciples of Jesus Christ. That is what the Lord has commanded us to do. We should be concerned over lost souls spending eternity in Hell. If you are truly saved, share the Gospel with someone. Do this today. Plead with lost souls to repent and believe the Gospel. The Gospel, not social justice is the main concern.
(This message was lifted up in downtown Springfield, MO on November 15, 2019)