3 Reasons Why Social Justice Will Not Change the World

You simply cannot separate the Gospel and social justice. Is the modern Church too “social justice” focused? This blogger challenges us to examine our practices or lack thereof.

The Asian Rough Rider

For those of us who followed the news in 2014 it was a depressing year. Images of violence, racism, government coups, injustice and world-wide evil have wracked our brains and broken our hearts. As we look at our lost nations, communities and target people groups we have to ask ourselves an important question. What is it really going to take to bring lasting transformation in our world?

The answer is incredibly simple. Jesus. All the social evils of our world are a direct result of sin. The remedy for sin is not social justice, it is Jesus.

So why then do we fight evil, poverty, hunger, human trafficking and sanitation with social justice? It’s because it’s easy to be a social justice activist. Tell your Facebook friends that you are building wells in Africa and they’ll praise you. Ask your school to join your campaign to end human trafficking and…

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Eternal Life

Eternal life is a free gift, based on God’s grace.

• “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
• This might surprise you, but Heaven cannot be earned or deserved.
• “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• Grace is what God wants to give you, but which you do not deserve.
• It is amazing, but true; God wants you to go to heaven. Eternal life is a free gift!

People in themselves do not deserve the gift of heaven. Why?

• We are sinners by nature and by choice.
• “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
• We are incapable of doing good according to God’s standards.
• “…There is no one who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:12).
• “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10).
• People cannot save themselves.
• “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:5).

There is a penalty for sin.

• God is love – He doesn’t want to judge you.
• “The Lord…is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
• But, God is also just – He must judge sin.
• “Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished” (Exodus 34:7).
• “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), i.e. physical death and also spiritual death (separation from God).
• Our basic needs are: forgiveness, eternal life and peace with God.
• So, people try religion, good deeds, materialism, self-acclaim, etc, to satisfy their needs, but these do not solve the problem of sin.
• But remember, God is love. He has the solution!

Jesus Christ is your only way to Heaven.

• Who He is – the infinite God-man.
• “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:1,14).
• What He did – He paid the penalty for our sins, and purchased a place in heaven for us!
• “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
• “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).
• “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Personal faith in Jesus Christ is the answer.

• Faith is not – merely believing a fact.
• “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder” (James 2:19).
• Many people agree that Jesus Christ lived and died, and they even believe in His resurrection! But, they have not turned from sin and trusted Him.
• Faith is – turning from your sin and trusting in Jesus Christ alone for your eternal salvation.
• “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
• “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).
• “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
• The Bible says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

Can you think of any reason why you wouldn’t want to invite Jesus Christ into your life right now? Might I suggest a simple prayer?

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the gift of eternal life. I know I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. I believe Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for my sins and rose again from the dead to give me eternal life. I now put my complete trust in You alone for eternal life. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen!

 

This post reflects my heart passion and was inspired by a booklet entitled, “Life’s Most Important Question” published by BMH, P.O. Box 544, Winona Lake, IN 46590, http://www.bmhbooks.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hard Words

The following words of Jesus Christ were hard to understand and accept when he spoke them. They remain equally hard (and for many offensive) today.

“So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.'” (John 6:53-56 ESV)

So, what is Jesus saying?

Bakers New Testament Commentary helps with a paraphrase of John 6:53-58: “Jesus said to them, I most solemnly assure you, unless by a living faith you accept, appropriate, and assimilate the Christ, trusting in his sacrifice (broken body and shed blood) as the only ground of your salvation, you do not possess everlasting life (the love of God shed abroad in the heart, salvation full and free). On the other hand, he who does accept my sacrifice with a believing heart, digesting it spiritually, has everlasting life for the soul, and I will raise up his body gloriously at the last day, the great day of judgment. For my sacrifice (broken body and shed blood) is the real spiritual food and drink. He who spiritually digests this food remains in the closest and most vital union with me.”

The Apostle Paul explained it this way. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1:7 ESV)

This reference to flesh and blood is throughout the Bible, in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. The writer of Hebrews said, “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Hebrews 9:22 ESV)

Ephesians 2:13 says, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Have you been brought near? Are you a redeemed one, redeemed through his (Jesus) blood which he shed on the cross for you; meeting the requirement of forgiveness for your sins (and, yes, of mine too)? The Bible says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 ESV)

Someone Cares for You

Know that someone cares for you and your soul. No matter what country you come from, or what you look like, or even your lifestyle. God loves you. He wants to help you, and most importantly, to help you know His Son, Jesus Christ. This requires that you face some eternal truths about yourself and about God; about your present condition and eternity; and, about new life in Jesus. So, I urge you, please take some time and read the most important message ever written for your life!

It is found in the New Testament of the Bible. If you don’t have one, please let me know and I will send one to you at absolutely no cost to you. It will be my personal gift to you!  Why?  Because I am blessed to be a blessing!

Blessings!

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NIV)

Marriage

I am officiating a wedding today

Wonderful picture of Jesus Christ and his Bride . . . the Church

He is the Head . . . the Church is the Body

Union

Yet seeking unity with Him and each other through mutual respect, submission and growing love

Symbolism . . .metaphor . . . picture . . . reality

To God be the Glory great things He has done !