Friday, January 8, 2016

January 9, 2016

"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:6-10

"Social justice" as espoused and practiced by those on the liberal left side of the political spectrum evolves from a misguided form of Christianity known as "Liberation Theology". 

This brand of Christianity is based on the belief that there are two categories of people: the oppressor and the oppressed. They see the mission of Christianity as liberating the oppressed from unjust economic, political or social conditions imposed by the oppressors.

According to this theology the only way to be saved, if you are the oppressor, is to give back what you have taken (actually - earned) and give it back (under pressure) to the oppressed in the form of reparations. Apart from that there is no salvation.

Liberation salvation is brought about by Jesus in the form of political and social "liberation" for the oppressed from the oppressor. Salvation is achieved when the oppressed achieve economic and political "equality" with those who were their oppressors through the forced redistribution of wealth.

Those who believe in this brand of faith tend to be very "evangelistic" in their zeal to bring about "social justice" because they believe their individual salvation depends on the collective salvation. In other words, none are saved until all are saved.

Of course, these beliefs run contrary to the Scriptural truths in the text verse above. Salvation is not earned through the merit of our work or our sacrifices, it was earned by the atoning death of Jesus on the cross and sealed through His resurrection from the dead. Those who believe in Him and accept His sacrifice for their sins will find salvation through that confession of faith.

While Christ's sacrifice was offered for all, only those who repent of their sins and turn from those sins and individually receive Him by faith. There is no such thing as "collective salvation". The Bible says each of us must find our own salvation by living in an obedient spiritual relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

The evidence that such a spiritual transformation has actually taken place is our good works accomplished through the love and grace of God at work in our hearts and minds. One who has experienced and is in possession of a genuine Christian faith will have a concern for the poor and will give time, money and personal involvement toward meeting their needs. A true convert to Christ will care about the plight of the poor and will commit to caring for their needs. He will serve them and stand for them and sacrifice to meet their needs.

Jesus has no political agenda. He has no political party. He did not just die for those who are politically conservative. He came to seek and save those who are mired in spiritual poverty and oppression. As the Son of God, Jesus owned EVERYTHING but gave it all up to become poor so you can become rich in your spirit! He came to set the spiritual captives free from their sins. And He accomplishes that through His people who obey His Word and do His will and share the good news of salvation by grace!

True justice flows out of justification - being made right before God through faith in Christ and entering into a personal faith relationship with God. It is by grace you are saved! That's JUST the way it is!