Many have tried to take Jesus' gospel, and turn it into a gospel of social justice. However, the gospel of Jesus is very different from the gospel of social justice. Instead, of teaching that we are victims, Jesus' gospel teaches repentance for sin, and accepting responsibility for our lives.

As Christians, we face many choices. We deal with issues like who we should put our faith in, and who we should listen to. Of course, the right answer is that we should believe in Jesus, and listen to his gospel.

But this is easier said than done. There are so many different ways to spin Jesus' teachings that its hard to know who's right. We have to ask ourselves, "which Jesus do we believe in, and who's interpretation of Jesus' gospel is correct?".

Over the last few years, there's been a political effort to distort the gospel of Jesus. Many people in this country have tried to turn Jesus' gospel into a gospel of "social justice". They tell us that Jesus' gospel is not about spiritual liberation, but rather economic liberation. They've tried to turn Jesus into a sandal wearing activist, who preaches against evil corporations. They've tried to reinvent Jesus as being a revolutionary, preaching social justice.

The result of this effort is that Jesus' gospel has been turned into a social justice gospel. This new gospel changes the message of Jesus' gospel so that it's now contradictory to his teachings. The social justice gospel removes the personal responsibility from Jesus' gospel, and replaces it with blame.

Jesus' gospel says that we all should repent, and take responsibility for our sins.

To understand this social justice gospel, we first have to consider the true gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the most basic messages of Jesus' gospel is that men should repent for their sins. The simple fact is that we have all committed sin. In order to be forgiven, we all must recognize and repent for our own sins.

"And they [the disciples] went out, and preached that men should repent" (Mark 6:12 KJV bible), "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15 KJV bible), "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47 KJV bible).

We need to ask ourselves what does Jesus mean by repentance? Repentance is accepting and feeling sorry for one's own wrongdoing. Repentance is the realization that our own sins, not someone else's, are the root cause of our problems. Repentance is understanding that our own moral shortcomings keep us from being at peace.

Jesus' message of repentance is clearly a call to accept responsibility for our lives. In order to repent, a person must accept that they've sinned, and that they're responsible for the outcome. If you cling to the belief that your problems come from someone or something else, then you haven't repented. To have a relationship with God, one has to accept accountability through repentance.

In repentance, we are rejecting our own delusions of innocence, "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican...And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner". I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other..." (Luke 18:11,13-14 KJV bible).

The social justice gospel leads people to believe they are victims.

The social justice gospel is the opposite of Jesus' message of repentance. Social justice is built on the idea that economic and social injustice are at the root of people's problems. It leads multitudes of people to believe they are innocent victims. The social justice gospel says that its not our own sins that create our problems, but rather its the sins of an unjust system. Social justice is built on justifying oneself, and blaming someone or something else.

Social justice may sound benign, but a lot of harm can come from this type of thinking. It may not be the intention, but social justice is a convenient way to avoid accepting responsibility for one's life. Someone who believes they are a victim, is not in a morally responsible state of mind. Someone who feels like they are righteous and innocent will naturally work against the will of God.

Comments: (5)

Topic: The Social Justice Gospel

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Taryn

Loved reading this, it's an eye opener about the social justice gospel.

29th October 2012 6:09pm

Alan

I agree with these good thoughts but are they limited by design? You address the faults of so-called 'leftists' in equating the Gospel with action for their causes but don't mention so-called 'rightists' doing the same thing for theirs.

How many evangelicals, for example, are convinced that the Gospel tells them to be politically active in conservative causes: anti-abortion, patriotism, militarism, Ten Commandments posted everywhere, insisting that God's name is on our money, and so forth?

I hope you agree that these folks are just as off-base. Jesus clearly told Pilate that His kingdom is not of this world, that if it were his disciples would be fighting to prevent His arrest and death (John 18:36). But they didn't because He forbade them to, because He knew Who would win in the end (John 16:33).

6th November 2012 3:14pm

Doug Buckley

Hi Alan, I did want to stay focused on the issue of social justice, which to me seems like a clear example of the gospel being misused. Jesus didn't tell us how to vote, and I really can't either, but I can say that I see some disturbing ideas coming out of the religious left.

From what I can tell, Jesus wasn't a right winger or a left winger, but more like a political agnostic (as you allude to). He never advocated any kind of political revolution or system. The bible tells us not to trust in kingdoms of men, and shows us man's corrupt nature, such as with the kings of Israel. One could make the case for limited government.

The bible tends to present government as a reflection of the people and vice-versa. The more moral and God fearing the people are, the more freedom and influence over their own lives God gives them. In other words, dictators and oppressors and evil people rise to power because of sin.

7th November 2012 1:28pm

Thank you Bro Doug. After watching the tv church channel preaching (not all, but most), I can see just what your saying, and they have a packed house. Please understand its good to see a packed house at any church, but on the other hand, I would think they came to hear the gospel Of Jesus Christ and not some social justice gospel is the opposite of Jesus message of repentance.

I remember reading that a regular person can sin over 200 times in one day (now that seems to be a lot of sin). I tried to count mine one day and lost count by lunch time, cause I had so many, but just think one sin is all it takes. As you said we must justify oneself, and stop blaming someone or something else, and the only way is to repent. (He wants everyone to repent 2 Pet 3:9 and Acts 17:30, only two of many scriptures) However repentance is not a good definition, but it is one that gives results of genuine faith, toward the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep up the good work and God Bless.

22nd January 2013 3:36am

Doug Buckley

Hi Ed, good to hear from you, and it does seem like the message of blaming someone of something else has always been well received, even throughout history, but we know the true gospel of Christ is about repentance and responsibility. God bless

23rd January 2013 7:38am

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