Rooted in Christ-Part 26- Biblical Social Justice

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This passage of scripture describes true social justice and the fact that it comes as the result of faith in Jesus Christ.

Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Last week we began to explore the practical realities of the putting off of the old man and the putting on of the new man.
We saw how we must put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication, and lying. Then we saw how we must put on the new man , allowing ourselves to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
This process will also produce a change in how we relate to others as we will clearly see in the next several verses.
There is much focus in our world today upon the idea of social justice, but unfortunately the means which are being promoted and practiced in our society will never bring about real lasting change.
Here in the Word of God we find true social justice is the product of sincere Christian faith.
There are two significant changes which sincere Christian faith will produce. In Christ...

Divisions Disappear (Vs. 11)

In our world today, one of the greatest issues we face is the constant effort to divide society into various classes based upon a wide variety of factors.
It seems that there is a constant effort to cultivate division in our nation for the purpose of promoting one grouping above another or pitting one class of people against another, but in Christ these divisions disappear.
For we who are in Christ, the things which once may have divided us are no more, but instead we have become one in Him.
First of all we must recognize that many of the distinctions which our society attempts to use to divide are false distinctions. Race as defined in society is a false distinction because there are endless variations to the color of a person’s skin. There is but one race and that is the human race.
Divisions based on ethnicity or nationality disappear in Christ(Greek nor Jew). The Christian does not look upon an individual and treat them differently because of their heritage or the color of their skin.
The Jews and the Greeks were distinct in many ways and these distinctions had divided them for generations. Jews would not so much as step foot into the home of a Greek and the Greeks had no special affection for the Jews because of this mindset.
Yet in Christ there is neither Greek nor Jew. The divisions which once existed between these two groups were now erased and they are now both alike Christians. There was not to be a Jewish church and a Greek church but one church where the two worship Christ together in unity.
Divisions based upon religion disappear (circumcision nor uncircumcision). There is to be no discrimination on the basis of religious background in the body of Christ.
This does not mean that we accept every religion as true but simply that when a person sincerely places his/her faith in Christ what they once believed is of no consequence. There are not Mormon Christians, Catholic Christians, Protestant Christians, Etc…
Those who sincerely believe and are following Christ will be united in faith and doctrine. The distinctions that once existed will begin to disappear as we each follow Christ.
Divisions based upon culture disappear (Barbarian, Scythian). The Greeks considered all non-Greeks to be barbarians and the Scythians were considered to be the lowest class of all.
In every church there are people from various cultures, but these cultural distinctions bring diversity but not division to the body of Christ. Hispanic, Native American, Southern, Northern, Etc.. and yet we are all one in Christ. We do not allow these cultural distinctions to divide us!
Divisions based upon social standing disappear (bond nor free). In the early church there were some who were servants or slaves and there were others who were masters and leaders.
Philemon 15–16 KJV 1900
For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
There are to be no divisions in the church based upon the social class that a person belongs to. The church was to be the place where master and servant alike were to be welcomed and loved. There was to be no distinction in how the church treated these two classes of people.
Illustration- Perpetua wealthy noble girl/Felicitus poor slave girl joined hands and were martyred for their faith in the arena at Carthage in AD 202
The world will continue to attempt to divide us based on any number of arbitrary factors, but we must remember that “...Christ is all and in all.”
In Christ all these worldly divisions disappear. Ephesians 4:1-6
Galatians 3:28 KJV 1900
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
In Christ...

Our Treatment of Other is Transformed (Vs. 12-13)

Again we find the language of “putting on” being used here to describe the attributes that are to characterize the Christians treatment of others.
As the elect of God who are holy and beloved we must exercise...
Mercy- the wording here suggests a deep seated heartfelt mercy which we should show to others.
This means that we show compassion and concern for others rather than condemning or criticizing them.
Kindness- this simply means we are to do good and not evil to others.
Humility- this simply means we must think of others first.
Romans 12:3 KJV 1900
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Philippians 2:3–4 KJV 1900
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Meekness- power under control, not demanding one’s rights. Webster’s defined- Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under injuries and provocations.
Longsuffering- patience and endurance with others. Not short-tempered. This connects with the idea of forbearing one another.
1 Corinthians 6:7 KJV 1900
Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
Romans 2:4 KJV 1900
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Forgiveness- we must be always ready to forgive wrong, just as Christ has forgiven us
The instruction provided here can be summed up in the fact that we are to do more than treat others as we would have them treat us, rather we are to treat others as Jesus Christ would treat them!
Conclusion
Social Justice is a worthy goal but it will never be achieved through worldly means. We have seen throughout history that men simply move from one extreme to the other and justice is never actually achieved.
If we desire true equality and justice it will be found only in Jesus Christ. When we come to Christ all the artificial distinctions and divisions that separate us disappear.
When we follow Christ and put on the new man, our treatment of others will be transformed and there will be no discrimination or injustice among us.
The answer to to problem of injustice and inequality really is Jesus Christ!
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