Tags
churches, churches in North America, compassion, Jesus, Jesus Christ, love, needy, praise, salvation, social justice, social justice issues, Suffering, the LORD, the poor
Reading: Psalm 140
(Verses 9-13)
Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;
may the mischief of their lips engulf them.
May burning coals fall on them;
may they be thrown into the fire,
into miry pits, never to rise.
May slanderers not be established in the land;
may disaster hunt down the violent.
I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor
and upholds the cause of the needy.
Surely the righteous will praise your name,
and the upright will live in your presence (NIV).
Reflection
Here is an observation I have made as a result of visiting and speaking at a wide variety of churches across this continent. Christians and Christian churches in North America appear to fall into two broad camps: Those that are primarily concerned about personal salvation, and those that are concerned mainly about social justice.
Land’s end — Corel photos
There’s often a considerable amount of tension between these two camps. Both are convinced they are doing the will of God as revealed in the scriptures, and they can quote chapter and verse to back up their particular perspective. So which position is correct?
The short answer is they are both right. The eternal destination of your soul is of primary importance, but love and compassion for others is central to the entire mission of Jesus, and the full scope of the scriptures. Today’s reading from Psalm 140 reminds that issues of justice and fairness rank high with the LORD. I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.
John, the apostle, gives us this perspective: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:16-18).
It got very messy when Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. A lot of blood was spilled. It was brutal beyond measure—humiliation and suffering beyond measure. Our personal salvation was messy—in every way a high cost affair. Are we willing to do the same for others? That’s what John is saying when he writes and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. Now there’s a high calling. Do you want to change the world? It starts with a change in your heart. Jesus is in the heart changing business. I need an appointment with him. What about you?
Response: LORD God, I am selfish by nature. It’s not natural for me to think of others first. Help me to change. I want to genuinely care about others. Show me what I can to help because Jesus cares. Amen.
Your Turn: Should the church be involved in social justice issues or just stick to the salvation message?
I love the Psalms 
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Caring for those within the church and those around it is a place to start.
You are right. We can’t solve all the problems in the world, but we can make a difference in the lives of those who are near to us.
Should we be involved? I think many are. Wouldn’t we consider missionaries in far away lands ministering to the poor, being agents of change? Improving the lot of those abandoned by government and the rich are surely concerned about social justice. And, God bless them, they bring the salvation message too.
I agree. We need to do both. Jesus cared for both spiritual and physical needs.
This was great David, and so true. I happen to belong to a work that takes the “get souls saved.” camp. I actually agree fully that salvation and redemption is our biggest need. But, we sometimes get so polarized about it that, when a person suggests mission work based more on helping, people start tossing accusations of promoting a social Gospel.
Balance in all things.
I totally agree. One can go overboard on both extremes, but Jesus ministered to the whole person, body soul and spirit.
Amen, David, Amen
Hello David. I can see my comment needs some editing! Oh Mary, Mary! In that middle sentence, I meant that missionaries at home and abroad who roll up their sleeves and help the less fortunate are surely making a statement for social justice. Not that they judge or voice their opinions, but their very actions speak louder than words.
Genuine caring and love always reflects the God we serve.