The Church and Social Justice (Part Three)

This week we have been looking at New Testament models of ministry that engage people at a level of social need. On Monday, we saw how Christ fulfilled that portion of His mission, and yesterday considered the example of the “Good Samaritan.” Today we close with the example of:

The Early Church and Favor in Jerusalem

“Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

Have we missed the all? If we wonder about showing God’s love in tangible ways in our community and to our neighbors, this is our text. As Luke in the book of Acts tells us, the early church grew rapidly and found “favor with all the people” (2:47). What were they doing? Wonderfully practical things. They “had all things common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart” (vv.44-46). Some read this text about finding favor and miss the words “with all the people.” I think the Jerusalem community was on the receiving end of the sharing and the church was viewed favorably.

Encouragement from the CNN Hero of 2010
On Thanksgiving evening of 2010, the CNN Hero of the Year was announced. Those nominated were people of sacrificial love who are making a difference in their world. Their stories were moving. The winner, Anuradha Koirala, is from Nepal. An abusive relationship led her to a crusade to rescue girls and women from sex slavery. She said, “Every day there was battering. And then I had three miscarriages that I think were from the beatings. It was very difficult because I didn’t know where to go to report it.” After the relationship ended, Koirala began a small retail shop to employ and support displaced victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence. Maiti Nepal was established. Since its inception, the group has rescued more than 12,000 women and girls and now requires a large staff of teachers, counselors, and medical personnel. When host Anderson Cooper announced the winner from Nepal, the audience stood to their feet and cheered. Cooper said, “These people are making a difference in our world.”

After watching this program, I came away thinking that this can be the story of the 21st-century church: The evangelical church with a message of God’s love shown on the cross of Christ and in practical acts of love in the community where we live.

We can make a difference!