(Malala Yousufzai, an 11 year old girl who had the strength to rise against the Taliban in Pakistan)
I'm sure all of you have heard the term social justice before. Today we are looking at this concept, not from a political point of view but from God's point of view, as a desire of his heart. Look at the state of the world, there is still war, famine, disease, people living extravagantly whilst others go starving hungry, there are more people in slavery today then there were several hundred years ago when it was legal. Are we part of the problem in this world? Or can we be part of the solution?
Watching the news or reading the paper quickly reveals just how much unfair suffering we find in the world. War, murder, stealing, lying, greed, neglect etc... Often we find ourselves asking why the world is like this and what God thinks of it all. What does God want for human society?
Have a look at today's paper and find all the articles that report on crime, war and corruption. Here are some that I found today;
A Government Official using public funds for prostitutes.
A 14 year old Girl shot in Pakistan for wanting an education
One in Six children in Australia are living in poverty
What kind of problems do you see in the world?
Why do you think these things happen? What causes these problems?
Who does it hurt? Who are the victims?
Justice is when everything is fair and good for everyone. No matter how secure and ordered our societies might be, there are still many people who do not have fair and good lives.
Psalm 146:7-9 says;
He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets prisoners free,
8 the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
and Isaiah 1:16-17 says;
Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong.
17 Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.[a]
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
God wants the world to be just, but it isn't... Why do you think that is?
Who causes the world to be unjust? Who is to blame?
God commands us to act justly, how does he want us to do that?
God wants a world that is good and fair for everyone. Just as humanity is responsible for an unjust world, humanity can be responsible for a just world as well. We must be obedient to God's commands for justice and work to change the world, trusting that he will help us along the way.
How do you think God feels about the world we have made? Why?
Are there any ways that you add to the injustice in the world?
Can you think of a way you can stand against injustice in your world, whether at school, at home, at work, when down the street with your friends? Is there something you can do to bring more justice to your world?
How about at your local Corps or Youth Group? Is there something you can do with The Salvation Army in your community that can stand against injustice?
If you want to find out more about Justice check out this article from Relevant Magazine (which is a really cool christian website to check out anyway). Also the Salvos in the Eastern Territory (Queensland and New South Wales) have this page dedicated to Biblical Justice (if you want a christian ministry opportunity when you leave high school somewhere completely different you should check out their Edify program). Of course The Salvation Army in our territory has an entire department devoted to Justice called Just Salvos. There is loads of resources and information on that website about different Social Justice issues. Many of you may also know Alexis Mapleback at the Eaglehawk Corps. Alexis is our Social Justice Representative for the Northern Victoria Division so if you want to find out more or get involved with some social justice 'stuff' around Northern Vic get in contact with her! I'm sure she would love to hear from you :)
We also recommend a really cool book written in 2007 by a Canadian Salvation Army Officer who used to live in Melbourne called Danielle Strickland. The book is called Just Imagine: The World for God. We have a copy of this book here at DHQ so get in contact with us if you would like to read it or, as per usual, your Corps Officer or Youth Leader should be able to get their hands on it for you.
The same year that Danielle Strickland wrote that book the movie Amazing Grace came out. Has anyone seen it? It's a really cool movie about the work of William Wilberforce of campaigned to abolish slavery. If you are really interested in Social Justice you will enjoy that movie. Search for it on Youtube if you want to get an idea of what it's like...
Think about it. Pray about it!***
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