A while back, we opened our mailbox to find an astonishing contrast in our mail. It gave me great pause to ponder, and I encourage you to do the same.

In fact, before proceeding, you may take a second to consider what conclusions you might draw from these two surprisingly similar, yet drastically different images.



Often, it is images like these that become the rallying cry for those who advocate social justice. I completely understand why, especially if one experienced such juxtapositions in person. Even more understandable if one’s faith drives their impulse. It is all too easy to mine scripture for passages that command us to action in eliminating such things as poverty.

However, recently, Fox News’ Glenn Beck outraged millions by his urging individuals to leave their church if “Social Justice” appeared in their pastor’s vocabulary. I personally seek clarification regarding this inflammatory comment, because I might actually agree.

Now before labeling me a heretic and suggesting that I am saying the Bible does not command us to help the afflicted and the poor, hear me out. I believe we should be gripped by the calamity in Haiti and the carnage in Darfur. We should also be disturbed when we see suffering and struggle in our own cities. How can a compassionate heart not desire to lend aid? It is our duty as fellow human beings.

So then why would I want us to discard the very solution?

Well, because it’s not.

Social Justice (‘sō sh ǝl  ‘jǝstis)
noun
the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within a society.

The term “social justice” often implies that we make our appeal to the government to help the poor, feed the hungry, and redistribute income to those “less fortunate.” The problem I have with this idea is that the church, once the source for education, healthcare, and alms, has abandoned its post. We now look to our elected leaders to be our provider rather than God. Our country’s republic may be an institution of God (as with every nation), but it was never created to be His hands and feet. That duty was reserved for the body of Christ, however shriveled these appendages have become.

In addition, even when the church is seen as the dispenser of “social justice,” I believe the gospel becomes severely cheapened. Not to say it is not our duty to reach out, but we make the fatal assumption that those who “have not” are the ones who have been somehow treated unfairly. This belief is an admission to a misunderstanding of scripture, humanity, and God. This crucial error to our intentions is something that must be addressed.

We need to abandon this idea of Social Justice…

and adopt "Social Grace."

Now, this term has often been used to define our ability to politely integrate into society, but I propose a new definition.1

Social Grace (‘sō sh ǝl  grās)
noun
the recognition that we have been given more than we deserve, and in response give to others who are equally undeserving.

Too often we mistakenly wonder why innocent people suffer, forgetting that we are born guilty because we are born into sin.2 We should not question the existence of poverty and hunger, but rather prosperity and wealth. For how could such blessings exist in a world that is so saturated in evil? There is not a person among us that deserves to be rich. Not one of us deserves healthcare, a job, or even a full stomach (despite the political rhetoric today). The reality is that humanity does not deserve its next breath… and yet God grants it to us anyway.

Not too long ago one evening, as I was refueling my car at the gas station. I looked out across the road at the abundance of lit stores and restaurants that lined the highway. I was suddenly reminded that I live in a land of plenty, where the “necessities” of life are often luxuries to much of the world. I began contemplating our blessings, our richness. Even during this economic recession, the average American enjoys a rather comfortable lifestyle.

That’s when the question suddenly came to me, “God, why is this country blessed with such wealth and prosperity? And why do I live in it?”

Then the answer came surprisingly quickly, “Because I chose to. It’s a picture of my grace. It’s a picture of my undeserved blessings.”

My conclusion is that church should reflect such love, cease giving out of guilt and start giving out of grace. It is time we correct our view of justice, and allow God to be the sole dispenser of it. We need only to administer what distinguishes us from every other religion and is the only beacon of hope for all of humanity: Grace.



Notes:
1. I have not heard of this term used in this way before, but I will not necessarily claim to be the first.
2. Romans 3:10-12, Romans 5:12