Justice and Discipleship: Why One Cannot be Accomplished Without the Other

No matter how hard people fight, we will never be able to achieve a world of justice. Please bear with me as I explain my seemingly harsh words.

As soon as I started to get involved with some of the justice causes in my area, I quickly found out how easy it is to get caught up in the “justice” of it all. So caught up, in fact, that one can attend endless meetings, forums, conferences, rallies and seminars - all looking rather similar, despite the different names. How easy it is to go from wanting to make a positive difference to “feeling” like you are making a positive difference, just by the company you keep. After all, if you are supporting someone’s cause, you are participating in something bigger than yourself and therefore making some kind of difference.

For instance, as I got involved in the fight against human trafficking (a very real injustice in our world today), I found many organizations doing great work and I had to determine which ones to throw my support - be it time, talents, spiritual gifts or money - behind.

Some claim they are hoping to see an end to modern day slavery in this lifetime. While I appreciate the enthusiasm, I do not agree this can be accomplished. We live in a broken world, with broken people and no matter how hard we try, we alone are not capable of eliminating the evil that is responsible for the exploitation of others.

I am not saying drop all the causes you support. That would surely make me a hypocrite! There are so many great organizations that need our support to accomplish the many life-changing things they do. I am saying, it is vital that we, as followers of Christ, make sure our efforts are aimed toward a much greater goal.

If you have ever attended a Christian justice meeting of any kind, you have probably heard this scripture used:

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

In fact, this scripture was the one that God used to draw me into His work of justice (again, a very real thing - as I have witnessed). However, many times when we see this verse, it is interpreted as, “… seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.” There is a noticeable difference between seeking justice versus acting with justice. One is done for others, the other denotes how we ourselves act towards others (i.e. self-control).

You might momentarily agree with me if I said, “if everyone in the world had self-control, it would be a much better world.” I hate to again be so critical, but there are too many people in this world that are quite in control of their own actions, and that is precisely why we cannot have a world without injustice.

When we as humans do things by our own power, we are almost certain to do it for our own advantage. When we allow God to lead our lives - through the power of His Holy Spirit - He will most certainly move with the purpose of reconciliation and restoration of the entire world… for eternity.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Perspective.

Does that mean we shouldn’t even try to make this a better world? Absolutely not! God commands us to love:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).

What better way to show love than to see to it that others receive justice, right? Well… up to a point. Notice what God says loving others reveals? “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples.” Why is this important? It shows people where the love comes from – not of ourselves, but from God!

Years ago, when our church council had selected a prospective new Pastor, we as a congregation had the opportunity to ask him questions. Since I am involved in a number of justice ministries, I inquired as to his thoughts. My (now) Pastor replied, “I am all for justice ministries… as long as they include discipleship.” His view not only secured my vote, but also confirmed what I felt God was telling me, in respect to my own involvement in such ministries.

It is important for us to speak up for those who are unable to speak for themselves; to provide for the most vulnerable of our population. And, we should never underestimate the power of helping just one person. God doesn’t.

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?” (Matthew 18:12).

If we try, however, to preach the Gospel to a person who is in “survival mode”, they may not be able to see beyond the physical. We need to help stabilize them enough for them to be able to focus on the spiritual. On the other hand, if we only tend to their physical needs, we are leaving that person, or group of people spiritually dead.

We must do all – act justly towards others by seeking justice for those in need while speaking truth into their lives. We must share the good news of Jesus Christ so that others can receive The Blessed Hope:

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:11-14).

When selecting who we will join with and support, we, as the body of Christ, need to make sure those organizations are also invested in the spiritual lives of those they serve. When there is discipleship in practice and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, only then can true healing begin.

The truth is, there cannot be complete restoration and transformation without Jesus Christ - who is the very Truth:

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6).

Jesus works on the heart of the matter… literally; the human heart.

We may never be able to create a world without injustice, but God can. In fact, He did - and He plans to restore it to Himself one day.

While we are often unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel, God’s light has already come into this world in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ.

“I [Jesus] have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (John 12:46).

Jesus has already done all the work needed to restore this world to its original purity and beauty. It is now up to those of us who know The Blessed Hope to focus on true and complete justice for those we choose to serve.

We must not only act justly and seek justice for others; but, most importantly, share God’s Truth with others, to prepare them for Christ’s return and the day when God will restore His perfect justice once and for all.

Note: You may notice, if reading this commentary for a second time, some changes have occured regarding terminology. I have done so to clarify the difference between justice ministries and the "social" justice movements plaguing our world today in the name of humanity.

All Scripture used is from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.