Sermon Central
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Freedom Letter- Social Justice Series
Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jan 31, 2021 (message contributor)
Summary: This is the 40th sermon in the Action Series. This series began during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study in Acts will also include the letters written to the Churches. This is the 6th sermon from the Letter to the Galatians.
Series: Action [#40]
FREEDOM LETTER- SOCIAL JUSTICE
Galatians 3:15-29
Introduction:
The new “buzzword” that you hear everywhere is “Social Justice”. President Biden is saying it. Governor Lujan Grisham is saying it. Pro athletes are saying it. I could go on and on. This movement has also found its way into many Christian Congregations across the Country. So, what is “Social Justice”?
Before we define “Social Justice”, we need to define justice; and determine if they are the same thing. Justice means to be just. Being just is based on behaving according to what is morally right and fair. God is just. The definition of “Social Justice” is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political, and social rights and opportunities. These are not the same thing. 1 speaks of following in Jesus’ steps and the other is pleasing people.
There are 4 principles of “Social Justice” that we are going to identify today; and see how they should look when we are being just. Do not assume that a movement is about justice simply because it claims to be about justice.
Galatians 3:15-18
A principle of “Social Justice” is…
1. Access.
With each of these, I am going to give the definitions that the leaders of this movement use. Access- Greater equality of access to goods and services. The people in this movement believe that everyone should be able to get whatever they want. If I have an iPhone 11, then everyone should have an iPhone 11 or better.
Biblically, all people have access to God the Father through God the Son, Jesus. The promise made to Abraham wasn’t about all of the people in his family tree; but in Jesus. The promise given to us is not based on us following the Law; but in having faith in Jesus.
Galatians 3:19-22
A principle of “Social Justice” is…
2. Participation.
Participation- Expanded opportunities for real participation in the decisions that govern their lives. This relates to protests, running for political office, etc…
How does this relate to us biblically? Each of us have the opportunity to new life through faith in Jesus. The Law is there to show us where we have failed. Christians, this does not give you a reason to sin.
James 2:18
We have freedom from the grasp of sin, death, Hell, and Satan through Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:23-25
A principle of “Social Justice” is…
3. Human rights.
Human rights- Equal effective legal, industrial, and political rights. What does that mean? From what I noticed, this means that certain people can decide what is right and wrong. This is comparable to the Judaizers in Paul’s day. They wanted to determine what was sinful and what was not.
Paul was reminding them that before Jesus came and sacrificed His life for us, the Law had people locked up and the Law was their guardian. Through Jesus, we are justified by faith; and we no longer are under a guardian.
Galatians 3:26-29
A principle of “Social Justice” is…
4. Equity.
Equity- The quality of being fair and impartial. This is a very concerning principle when applied by these people. We are told to not judge people based on their race, social status, or gender; yet the people that are vocal about this are the people telling us which race, social status, or gender. In fact, this is meant to promote things like pick your gender, or use whatever restroom you want to, or recognizing same sex unions as marriage, etc…
We are told that we are not being equitable unless we justify the sins of others. If you do not agree with these people making these distinctions, then you are evil.
These verses show us what equality is in Christ. In Christ, we are children of God. In Christ, we are clothed with Christ. In Christ- Race, social status, and gender are not a factor for salvation.
Conclusion:
We are not here to cater to people’s sinful desires. We are also not any better than anyone else. When Jesus died on the cross, becoming our sin; and then was resurrected from the dead on the 3rd day; He gave us the opportunity to have faith in Him and be saved.
The Church does not need to be focused on “Social Justice”; but be focused on God’s justice. Under God’s justice, our only hope is faith in Jesus.
