Theme: CHRISTIANITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Christianity is defined as “the religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus Christ or it’s beliefs and practices”. True Christianity is a way of life, not a mere set of beliefs as adherents are required to put into practice, the wholesome truth, that they read and hear from the word of God.
Social justice, on the other hand, according to Wikipedia “is a concept of fair and just relations between the individual and society. This is measured by the explicit and tacit terms for the distribution of wealth, opportunities for personal activity, and social privileges.” In other words, it “is the equal distribution of resources and opportunities, in which outside factors that categorize people are irrelevant.”
The topic “Christianity and Social Justice” therefore envisions a life of service to God and humanity based on compassion, sacrifice, humility, self-denial and other virtues required of followers of Jesus Christ – as against greed, avarice and lack of consideration for others that is prevalent in the world today. – 2 Peter 1:5-11; Galatians 5:22-26; 19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9,10.
All men are equal before God and He wants our dealings to reflect this all the time. In the face of this, a life that does not glorify God and give meaning to others is not worth living. (Luke 10:25-37) The Christian life ought to be selfless and not selfish, childlike and not childish, so as to meet the Lord’s demands by His grace.
Text: “And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.” – Leviticus 25:10.
Comment: The law of the jubilee, the release of man and land or any bond whatsoever on the fiftieth year, was aimed at enhancing personal liberty, restitution of property, and to make room for a simple life amongst the people of God. The Almighty Father teaches His children, masters and servants alike, to look up to Him as the source of life and true freedom. The law further states that if one sells his possession and none of his kinsmen is able to come forward to redeem it “then that which is sold shall remain in the hand of him that hath bought it until the year of jubilee: and in the jubilee it shall go out, and he shall return unto his possession”. (Leviticus 25:25-28) The essence of the law of Jubilee is given in Leviticus 25:23 to wit: “And remember, the land is mine, so you may not sell it permanently. You are merely my tenants and sharecroppers!” – Leviticus 25:23. – Living Bible
The jubilee foreshadows the blessedness God’s children would enjoy in the third world, the world without end, if they do His will and “esteem others better than themselves”. (Philippians 2:3) Said St. Paul, “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” – Hebrews 4:1,2.