Social Justice in the Bible?

Question

I'm looking for some verses that demonstrate Jesus living out his Social Justice teachings. I already have some verses in which Jesus is teaching others about Social Justice, but what are the best examples of he himself living out those teachings?

If you want to be an EXtra big help, what is a creative way in which I could articulate these verses to a large class? Preferably in a prayerful manner...

Answer 1

I hope you will disregard the first response because it's just not true.  In Matthew Jesus makes it clear that people who claim him as Lord will feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit those in prison, give water to the thirsty.  In the Beatitudes, Jesus shows his that his disciples will have a new ethic to live by, turning the other cheek, giving to those who ask, etc... Look at the various stories of Jesus' encounters with people, people considered unclean, like the woman with the bleeding, the lepers, the woman at the well(a Samaritan).  Jesus' interaction with the woman caught in adultery.  All of these things show that Jesus was compassionate and willing to go outside the rules and norms of his day.  Jesus was often criticized for associating with "sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes."  Any minister today would probably be criticized for associating with some of these same type people.  I think a powerful way to illustrate this is to ask who would these people be today?  Who are the outcasts? The people rejected and judged by the rules and norms of our religions?  Blessings!

Answer 2

Jesus was about saving the lost from perishing.

Philosophy never did any favors for revelation--ever.

Listen, you don't need human wisdom or human philosophy. All you need is the Word of God. If you know and understand the Word of God, you understand what you need to know, and you have the source of solutions to your problems. You see, there are only two views of anything: man's and God's. Man's view is indulgent, shallow, short-sighted, and unrealistic. It panders to the flesh, elevates desire, supports pride, advocates independence, and makes man the center of everything.

Human philosophy just fulfills Romans 1:25: It changes the truth of God into a lie and worships the creature more than the Creator. Paul says in Romans 1, "The knowledge of God was there. You had the knowledge of God. You had the revelation of God. It was all there. But you imposed human philosophy on it and turned the truth of God into a lie. " Listen, God wants us to accept His revelation, not to split into philosophical factions. Human wisdom added to divine truth renders the cross null and void (1 Cor. 1:17b).

So, in verse 17 Paul launches into a lengthy contrast between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of men.

We have all broke His Holy Law and He will one day punish us in h**l.

We have all probably lied, stole, used His name in vain, dishonored our parents, never kept God first, etc.

We will all have to face His courtroom.

But He sent Jesus Christ to pay the fine for our sins and breaking of the Law. Just like if you were in a court room. He paid our fine and we are to go. But there are some things we must do: Repent (Turn away) of those sins and never turn back to them, and Trust that Jesus did what He did and have a relationship with Him. That is all.

Revelation 21:8

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Matthew 5:22

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother[will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the h**l of fire.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.