Social Issues

A. Unity in the Body of Christ.

1. Unity Rooted in One Body.

·      Ephesians 4: 4-6: “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

·      1 Corinthians 12: 12-13: “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

·      Colossians 3: 15: “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

2. Love and Humility in Unity

·      John 13: 34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

·      Philippians 2: 1-2: “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

·      Romans 12: 16: “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”

·      1 Peter 3: 8: “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”

3. Unity as a Reflection of Christ’s Prayer

·      John 17: 20-23: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”

4. Unity Through Spiritual Gifts

·      Ephesians 4: 11-13: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

·      1 Corinthians 12: 25-26: “That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”

5. Unity through Peace

·      Romans 14: 19: “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”

·      Ephesians 4: 2-3: “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

6. Unity in Diversity

·      Galatians 3: 28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

·      Colossians 3: 11: “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.”

7. Unity Demonstrates the Gospel

·      Acts 4: 32: “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.”

·      1 Corinthians 1: 10: “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”

·      Psalm 133: 1: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

·      Hebrews 10: 24-25: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

B. Biblical principles for addressing injustice.

1. God’s Character of Justice

·      Deuteronomy 32: 4: “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.”

·      Psalm 89: 14: “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.”

·      Isaiah 61: 8: “For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.”

2. God’s Commands for Justice

·      Micah 6: 8: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

·      Zechariah 7: 9-10: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”

·      Isaiah 1: 17: “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”

3. Condemnation of Oppression and Injustice

·      Amos 5: 24: “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

·      Proverbs 21: 3: “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

·      Ecclesiastes 4: 1: “Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them.”

·      Isaiah 10: 1-2: “Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression, to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right, that widows may be their spoil, and that they may make the fatherless their prey!”

4.God’s Advocacy for the Vulnerable

·      Psalm 82: 3-4: “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

·      Proverbs 31: 8-9: “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

·      Jeremiah 22: 3: “Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.”

5. Jesus’ Example of Justice

·      Luke 4: 18-19: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

·      Matthew 23: 23: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”

·      John 7: 24: “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

6. The Role of Believers in Addressing Injustice

·      Romans 12: 19-21: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

·      James 1: 27: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

·      Galatians 6: 9-10: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

· 2 Corinthians 5: 20: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”