I love justice. I do not hold the same view as many in my generation, though. I do not believe that the entitled, androgynous, and permissively tolerant understanding of justice today is what the bible calls true justice. In fact, I believe it is a manipulation of justice that brings ruin to true liberty and equality.

I write today to the Church. You are my friends, my brothers and sisters, and some of you are my mentors and leaders. It would be unfair of me to expect those outside of the faith to agree with me today, because their value system will never agree with mine unless they receive Christ. But you, beloved, are the ones I appeal to today.

The vital hinge of my appeal is this: ‘Belief’ is not the same thing as ‘Cause’.

As believers, we must equally weigh justice, mercy, and humble relationship with God. If these things are out of balance, we have what the bible calls ‘dishonest scales (Proverbs), or wicked scales (Micah).’ This balance must be rooted in at least a simple, solid understanding of who Jesus says He is. If we know Jesus, we can walk humbly with God. If we know Jesus, we can learn to love mercy as He loves mercy. If we know Jesus and how He brings justice to mankind, we can learn to do justly.

The point is, our relationship with Jesus and belief in Him should guide every effort of justice. He does not change. His Word does not change.

Cause however, is changing ever rapidly in our generation. There is a cause for everything, and quite frankly, we have bought the lies of wicked business people, philanthropists, and politicians who do ‘justice’ for earthly gain. To this I say, “When did Jesus ever command us to partner (yoke) ourselves with the wicked to bring justice to the earth?”

I’m an avid news reader, so it is almost a daily occurrence for me to read about another social justice cause. Literally millions of people bandwagon a myriad cause, including everything from drinking water for Africans to ending breast cancer. I am not saying that these are bad causes, (quite the opposite). What I do wish to address though, is, “What do these people gain, and who receives the glory?”

What belief system is driving these vast efforts of justice?

Also, as believers, isn’t it a lazy cop-out to give our money to secular organizations to do good? We should be on the front lines, because it is our belief in Christ that actually brings justice, liberty, and transformation. Will we resist the urge to buy into the latest ‘justice’ fad, and instead devote ourselves wholeheartedly to one or two causes that are dear to God’s heart?

For instance, the causes that I most identify with are the pro-life movement and the anti-slavery movement. This does not mean that I don’t want to see a cure for breast cancer, or relief brought to poverty stricken nations. What it does mean is that as one person I do not have the capacity to ‘do good’ in all of these areas. Even in the pro-life movement, which is one of my most zealous pursuits, I make sure I research every organization that I long to partner with so that I may learn about their beliefs, goals, and where their money and resources go.

If we join every cause, we cannot learn the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’. For example, I know many organizations that are currently fighting to end human trafficking, but they also give money to pro-abortion groups. I know organizations who fund cancer research that also fund non-profits who help prostitutes get abortions. What kind of justice is that?

Could it be that the sickness and pervasive corruption in our society is a direct result of a culture that gives freely to veiled injustice? Is it possible that we could give millions upon millions of dollars to ending human trafficking, abortion, or cancer, only to find that these organizations are actually increasing injustice in other areas? What if the social justice movement of our day is merely a tool to stir the empathy of the masses, training us to prostitute our hearts to a cause without first knowing the belief?

Please consider that the time and money we spend on trendy justice is like sowing into rocks and expecting a great harvest.

The answer is simple: Find Jesus; Prayerfully contend for His heart regarding a single or small handful of causes; and, Devote your life to seeing Jesus known and people set free from the bonds of oppression. Most true activists and abolitionists give their life for a cause unto their own death. Let us find the unwavering glory of the cross so that the offering of our life is an eternal reward, not an eternal tragedy.

-J.S.Marek