gospel

“What does the gospel have to do with justice, particularly social justice?”

Many members of Generation Z are choosing justice over the gospel, but they don’t have to. They can choose both.

The Rev. Billy Graham’s final will and testament has been made public, and in it he praises his wife, Ruth, and admonishes his family to uphold the Gospel no matter what.

There was much in the wedding to celebrate. But I would have added a vital element to the ceremony.

Throughout the centuries, the Christian church has been involved in health care. Jesus healed the sick, showed compassion to the needy, and told us to go and do likewise.

The Great Commission stands at the center of Christianity as the command of the risen Lord Jesus Christ for his church to proclaim the name of God in the world for the sake of all nations and God’s glory among them.

Injustice fills today’s headlines. Christians are hunted and killed in Somalia. Men are auctioned off as slaves in Libya. Imperfect babies are murdered in Iceland. Gang violence claims the lives of young men in America. Daughters are discarded in India for not being sons. Orphans are transported across borders and forced into prostitution in Nepal.

I’m heartbroken for the vulnerable people who endure injustice. The Lord opened my eyes to injustice and oppression a few years ago. In his mercy, he rescued me from my bubble of indifference, safety, and comfort. I was aware of oppression, but not personally affected by it. Knowing my four sons slept comfortably in their warm beds led to my own peaceful sleep. Injustice was easy to ignore with my egocentric worldview. But God.

With the Holy Spirit’s prompting, I began to wonder about the many mothers worldwide who are denied peaceful sleep because their children have been trafficked. I began to feel burdened for families without access to the gospel, clean water, food, and security. I repented of my indifference toward the plight of the vulnerable. He changed me and redirected my priorities. I wanted to be a seeker of justice and corrector of oppression (Isa. 1:17).

There are many ways to obey God’s good command to seek justice. Here are a few suggestions:

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Christianity Today has reported that, although Graham’s funeral was hailed as his “last crusade,” his evangelism did not end when he took his last breath.

If we want our lives to impact our culture, we must make Billy Graham’s greatest fear ours as well.

I was out of the country when Billy Graham died, so I did not get to tell you my thoughts about this amazing man of God. But if I keep silent, the stones may cry out.