Becoming Like Christ: Justice
Many of our hearts have been touch by the civil unrest across the county this year. The Church can never condone violence. Yet, we are to be champions for racial and social justice. Lives matter to God. Black lives matter to God. (I need to pause and explain that the organization known as Black Lives Matters does not represent the core of Christian principles. You can visit their website for the groups statement of values.)
At the intersection of love and brokenness is the fight for justice. God is a friend to the poor, despised, and downtrodden. Following Christ guides us to seek justice with love and action.
Jesus used an earthly story to point to the heavenly call for justice.
"For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. Then the righteous will answer Him, Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? The King will answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me" (Matthew 25:35-40).
There are no deeds by which one may gain a righteous stance before a completely holy God. Favor with God is not earned but received through Christ. But a Spirit changed heart will show evidence that God’s righteousness is present.
Where can you help others who are broken this week? Search out opportunities to share compassion with practical acts of love. Throughout the holiday season HBC provides you with meaningful opportunities to give yourselves to others. Look for information on Love Thy Neighbor; Christmas Angles, Senior Fruit, Samaritans Purse, and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
Real faith works!
"What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and be filled, and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself" (James 2:14-17).
Matt Emerson
Taken from Discipleship Essentials by Greg Ogden
At the intersection of love and brokenness is the fight for justice. God is a friend to the poor, despised, and downtrodden. Following Christ guides us to seek justice with love and action.
Jesus used an earthly story to point to the heavenly call for justice.
"For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. Then the righteous will answer Him, Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? The King will answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me" (Matthew 25:35-40).
There are no deeds by which one may gain a righteous stance before a completely holy God. Favor with God is not earned but received through Christ. But a Spirit changed heart will show evidence that God’s righteousness is present.
Where can you help others who are broken this week? Search out opportunities to share compassion with practical acts of love. Throughout the holiday season HBC provides you with meaningful opportunities to give yourselves to others. Look for information on Love Thy Neighbor; Christmas Angles, Senior Fruit, Samaritans Purse, and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
Real faith works!
"What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and be filled, and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself" (James 2:14-17).
Matt Emerson
Taken from Discipleship Essentials by Greg Ogden