The over-used, politically correct term, “social justice” is a misnomer. Justice is justice, regardless of the context in which it is applied. But “social justice” as it is played out in the political arena always gives special consideration to certain groups or categories of persons at the expense of the rights of others.
Justice, by definition, must apply equally to each and every individual. It is not justice to give benefits to some, while restricting the same benefits from others — which is exactly what “social justice” does. In short, “social justice” is not justice at all. It places a wedge between people groups and is a precursor to socialist thinking.
As a God-ordained principle, true justice is universal, designed for and applied to every individual equally. The rights and liberties afforded by our system are not derived from a person’s particular category or group, but from the presumption that we all are equal before God.
Charges that our constitutional republic is racist (white supremacist) are not based on the actual principles of our founding documents, but on the failure of humans to fully implement what is written. Even with those failures, as a result of the real justice that our constitution represents, many of the social wrongs in our history have been corrected, and continue to be corrected. That is because our society has always believed that justice is due to everyone.
The idea of universal justice in American culture stems from our Judeo-Christian ethic, a tradition rooted in Biblical teaching. Those who would change the way we think about God-given justice, making us open to socialism, are working hard to rewrite our history and erase the memory of our founding traditions. They want people to believe the lie that America from its inception has always been cruel, racist, sexist and unjust. So, they put forward socialist-inspired solutions, such as “social justice” to make reparations for perceived injustices. It’s all a lie and it’s not about justice. It’s about government control and loss of personal freedom.
Romans 13:1 begins, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” Notice it does not refer to groups or categories, but to persons. The individual — not ranked or categorized by what group he may belong to — is given the responsibility and reward for socially responsible behavior. The second part of this verse adds that these governing authorities are from God.
What that means is that governing authorities are accountable to God to represent his values and uphold his standards of justice. It does not mean that however a governing authority chooses to act, that ipso facto represents God’s will or God’s approval. To quote from the Declaration of Independence,
…all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these, are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
This means that those in authority are charged with ruling according to God’s purposes, not their own. Continuing in Romans 13 (verses 2-4) we get the Biblical model for justice in government:
…whoever resists the authorities resist what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct but to bad. …do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is a servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrong doer.
God’s design for government is based on individual accountability, not group identity. In God’s view, social justice holds individuals to account for their behavior while offering opportunities and blessings to all who live according to his precepts.
Opposed to this concept is socialism, which, like a form of tribalism, divides people into approved groups and unapproved groups, and places more emphasis and value on a person’s group identity than on their unique individuality. Socialism replaces individual liberty with group privilege, while lying that they want to help those who see themselves as “oppressed”.
The first and most basic premise of socialism is that the needs of the State outweigh the needs of the individual. No longer do the ruling authorities act as God’s agents to see that everyone’s unalienable rights are protected. Just the opposite. Under socialism, the people are required to set aside their freedoms in order to support whatever the State says to support. Serious dissent is not allowed. There can be no freedom of speech. Even what you think and believe is subject to State approval. Political correctness becomes a command, and failure to toe the party line is a criminal offense.
Without the God-given freedom to live our lives as God created us to do, under socialism everyone must live according to the dictates of the State. That is what woke attitudes like “social justice” are leading to. This is happening because fewer people look to God as their authority, while increasing numbers of people are trying to replace God with government. And when God is no longer in authority over government, government shows no restraint.
The Bible says we are to submit to ruling authorities, with the presumption that they are representing God’s purposes. But it doesn’t say we are to submit to any dictatorship, regardless of how godless they are. Galatians 5:1 says, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit to a yoke of slavery.”
But the Church in America today has strayed far from Biblical teaching. Repeatedly, throughout Scripture, the believer is admonished not to go beyond what is written; neither to add to nor take away from the word of God. Yet that is exactly what we are doing when we try to incorporate the idea of “social justice” into the ministry of the church. Sadly, many Christians seem to be caught up in the lie that somehow “social justice” is helping the poor, needy, oppressed minorities.
Thinking they are are being religious and doing good, they have actually turned from their supernatural calling. Instead of being led by the Holy Spirit of God, they are following secular wisdom that rejects God as our authority. As it says in 2 Timothy 3:5, they are, “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
When a government treats rioters differently, depending on what groups they belong to; when a government targets parents as terrorists if they refuse to be bullied by autocratic school boards; when a government seeks to control medical care and pushes a one-size-fits-all philosophy; when a government gives “free” housing and medical care (paid for by the taxpayers) and in some cases, even the right to vote to those who have come into the country illegally; when a government allows thieves to openly steal merchandise from stores without consequences; when a government allows rioters to be bailed out without investigation; when you see a government perpetuating all forms of injustice while calling loudly for “social justice” you know that God is not in charge of the government. Rather, the people have turned their backs on God.
Yet still, the governing authorities will be held accountable by God. There will be a judgment, and it will be a righteous reckoning. Thousands of years ago when Israel was prosperous and powerful, they turned away from the authority of God. They did as they pleased while continuing to make an outward appearance of being religious, thinking all they had to do was perform the formality of religious rites, without living righteous lives. The prophet Amos spoke to this in Amos 5:21- 24:
I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
True justice and righteousness comes from God — not from the State. Because American government is “of the people, by the people and for the people,” it is up to We the People to see that God’s justice rules our land. On our own, we can do nothing of eternal value. But if the people return to God and the Church abides in Christ and walks in him, God’s justice can govern in America. Jeremiah 3:16 says, “The LORD is our righteousness.”
May we return to the LORD and know his truth. May we expose the lies by the light of his truth. “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ~ John 8:32
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