Back in January of 2020 I asked the loaded question; what is true social justice?
The questions led us further.
I came up with ten questions, actually; and proceeded to explore the answers that I could find from anywhere out there.
These were honest questions and they deserved honest answers. I truly had no agenda but to know the truth by exploring the facts.
Of course, I approached the seeking of answers from a Christian perspective; as I do everything else in my life. My definition of Christianity may not be the same as yours; so to be more exact; I approached the questions looking for how a Holy Spirit-filled, born-again believer in Jesus Christ should define and react to social justice issues.
I was truly pondering how the Church as a whole should respond to our culture when laws and rules were being set up according the world’s definitions of social justice.
Those definitions too are varied; depending on cultures, regions, political agendas; etc.
We even came to the end of this year still in the midst of the discussion; and I found myself asking if government oppression was not another form of social injustice.
The whole subject became extremely complicated; so we broke it down to several articles; which I will link you to here:
https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/what-is-true-social-justice/
https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/how-do-we-define-social-justice/
https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/is-social-justice-useful-or-harmful-to-society/
https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/the-vast-history-of-social-justice/
https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/continuing-thoughts-on-history-of-social-justice/
https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/social-justice-history-the-great-depression/
https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/social-justice-and-world-war-one/
https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/social-justice-history-and-the-frankfurt-school/https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/social-justice-history-the-great-depression/
https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/when-you-suddenly-become-the-enemy-social-justice-history/
https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/remembering-the-holocaust-the-history-of-social-justice/
https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/social-justice-history-and-the-plight-of-the-native-americans/
Yep; it was a whole year’s worth of considering the facts; and it could have gone on for about fifty more years. I half-way wanted to go into more subjects; such as: gender injustice, political injustice, injustice because of poverty and economic oppression, religious injustice, the sanctity of life and injustice, injustice where immigrants are concerned; other racial issues, global and environmental injustices; there are so many MORE groups and issues. This list could only grow; though we all hope it shrinks.
There was a lot to consider and in the end we needed to condense things down to the basic facts and answer the questions.
These articles, one-by-one, that we did publish covered different issues with different historical groups and many of the articles covered historical facts. However; we did not specifically answer the ten original questions as asked in the first article. That is what this last summary article will attempt to do.
At the end of this final article; I will put social justice issues aside and move on with what I’ve learned. I hope you have grown with me as we explored together. The learning process for this subject will never completely end; because true social justice is simply a huge part of living real life.
I’ve formed my opinions; and I’ll answer the questions with just that; “my opinions.”
I hope you have followed along all year and come to your own conclusions and “opinions” too.
Neither of us are guaranteed to be right or wrong; but it is definitely time to state the facts according to our own personal opinions.
We do not have to agree; we only have to listen to one another in love.
This whole series of articles has been good for me personally. These social justice questions are no longer a “fuzzy” area for me. I feel I have reached a good clear place of understanding in my own mind. So; have some fun and see how my answers compare to yours if you wish to do so.
Here are the ten questions originally asked along with my (as-brief-as-possible) answers in summary form.
1. What exactly is social justice and how should it be used in our nation today?
ANSWER: I’ve come to understand that “social justice” is not something that can be legislated. It can only come about through God’s love in us and God’s people sharing this love among all people.
So the answer is “yes” and “no.”
Yes – social justice should be used among our people. We should all have hearts that beat for one another in love; not the love the world gives’ but the unfailing love that God brings to us.
No – as far as legislations and laws are concerned. The only law that we should really be concerned with are the Ten Commandments. These laws cover all areas of social justice. You can’t outthink God. They just need to be written on our hearts instead of on paper or the intellect.
2. Is social justice useful or harmful to a society that employs it?
ANSWER: True social justice is defined as “God is love.” This is very useful; as a matter of fact it is the MOST useful tool that we humans have to make the world a better place.
Play the “love card” in the society that surrounds you.
All will win in the end. It is that simple. It can’t be legislated; but it can be implemented by people sharing God’s love for one another.
3. How has history defined this conceptual ideal?
ANSWER: History has explored all the rights and wrongs of social justice over time. It has failed in a million different ways to provide true solutions.
That isn’t because many have not heroically tried to end injustice for so many various cultures and people groups; it is because social justice can’t be legislated and be successful.
It has to come from the heart of the people with the problem.
God can change people. He is the answer to all of the problems.
New laws and more bills to be considered do not really help in the long haul; individual people; one at a time, need to join the movement I will name “God’s Love.” When that happens; there will be no need for laws. The problems will be solved and a turn will happen.
4. Who has the right to define how social justice is used and why would it be necessary in a government established on foundations of liberty and freedom?
ANSWER: That is just it! We already have a Constitution founded on God’s laws and liberty and freedom for all. No better words could be on the books.
Now we need to rise together as a country and care for each other with God’s love.
No need for more language, riots or demonstrations.
No need to change laws.
Just show an action called LOVE.
It will take personal commitment from everyone involved in the problem; but that is the answer.
5. How has social justice evolved and changed over the years and where should we be going with this evolving concept in 2020?
ANSWER: The truth is that the groups and the reasons and the waves of social awareness have all come and gone and changed things; but basically the root of the problems remain within every culture and people.
We do not love one another.
This needs to change.
Once we have conquered loving one another in our cultures and communities; we will be able to get along. God can help anyone who asks for help. He is waiting for you to ask.
Are you doing your part yet?
Please don’t point out your neighbor’s prejudices until you clean up your own backyard first.
6. Is social justice a godly pursuit; and should Christians actually be involved in this area of politics as it is now being presented to our nation?
ANSWER: Yes and no again.
Social justice is a good and godly trait to have.
It demonstrates our love for one another. We all need to be showing social justice every day in all matters of life.
Christians of all people should be leading the way. You don’t have to speak; just lead.
As for politics though; it isn’t truly a political matter, and I say this no matter how hard people keep trying to make it so.
It is a heart matter.
Leave the politics to the politicians and let them have their own circus. Live your life according to God’s laws to love one another. It will work out!
Not every breath we take has to be legislated! Trying to do so has caused a lot of the dead-end traps we all are facing today in society. Legislation and laws help some and hurt others. It isn’t the answer to this question. Just love your neighbor as yourself.
7. How is social justice being portrayed by our schools, our churches and our communities and local governing bodies? Are these true presentations?
ANSWER: Our schools, churches, local governments and communities have made grave errors that will not help us to move forward; but will only help us to go backwards.
Most of what we have received has been based on people’s political agendas and now generations are ruined from such educations; both in schools, churches and local governing.
True social justice isn’t something that can be institutionalized.
Institutions cannot love; only human hearts can love.
Institutions do not know God’s laws for love; they follow the ways of men.
Come out of the “systems” and begin to teach your children true values.
Let them see you in action.
Show love and they will learn love. That is social justice.
Not everyone will get it right.
Social justice also includes learning how to forgive. Forgive your neighbor who is narrow-minded and begin to teach them through your own actions of love. You don’t have to say a word. Your actions will speak for you.
Don’t let the enemy of God win this battle because you got your feelings hurt. Rise above the situations and circumstances and do your part to stay true to the cause.
You are in the majority; I promise you that. No true loving human wants an unjust world.
8. Have we closed our eyes to the ways that social justice IS being presented today due to nostalgia and ignorance of the whole concept or the whole story?
ANSWER: No one is sleeping through this.
No one has closed their eyes.
Everyone is aware and everyone is trying the best they can to make things better. Look up and have faith. Be a part of “the making things better” group.
Don’t become part of the problem by using stupid, emotional techniques that will not work but only help to turn others away from seeing God’s love in you.
Rise above.
Be the better person.
Forgive and forget.
This is how God loves. This is how we must show love for one another.
This is true social justice.
9. What goes on behind the scenes when the public is presented with a new form of social justice?
ANSWER: Let’s talk a few minutes about BLM and then the riot at the Capital building not so long ago.
Two radically different cultures with two radically different causes.
Neither of them have won any points with society lately.
Rioting is NEVER the answer.
Violence is NEVER the answer.
That isn’t how God loves.
God loves by keeping His own laws.
It is as simple as loving God, loving your neighbor and loving yourself. We have studied the history in all of the past articles. In every case where the public was involved; the only progress made was made in ways of nonviolence and love.
Let’s continue down that road. It is the road to our future.
These violent demonstrations are only detours that will not let us arrive at the proper destination.
10. Are there any hidden agendas operating under the guise of this widely accepted and applauded theory called “social justice” How can we know and what can we do?
ANSWER: Yes; there are lots of hidden agendas at work in our society today.
There is actually a revolution going on that no one even seems to be aware of. Whether or not we like the fact; the great reset that the globals have wanted for so long is happening.
In this revolution; social justice issues are being used right and left to manipulate people like pawns.
If you can’t see this; you have to be blind.
What can we do?
It is the same answer every time.
Spread God’s love.
There are no other solid answers.
You can try things to protect yourself financially. They MIGHT work. You can hide and bury your head in the sand. Nothing is going to change. It is happening. The people who overcome will be the people who have God’s love living in their hearts; and they will be sharing it with others.
The whole world may collapse around us and dissolve away; but God’s love is forever.
You can’t legislate it.
You can’t physically see it; but you can feel it.
It can be multiplied like the loaves and the fishes at The Sermon on the Mount though. All it takes if for God’s people to turn to Him, love Him with all of their hearts and commit their lives to Him.
God is the answer. He is the ONLY true expert on love and social justice.
I pray that whatever happens to you and yours from this point forward; that God will bless you and keep you. I pray that He will lead you to all of the answers that mankind cannot find or know.
We may not see complete and true social justice until we all meet in eternity; but each heart that is changed along the way will be another smile that will be with us there.
Let’s just keep on doing our part.
God will handle all of the rest and He will tell us what to do next.
Be patient and show love; that is true social justice!