Social Justice and Abortion

“Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.” Proverbs 28:5

“Social justice” is a catchphrase that is heard not only in schools and businesses but also in churches in our culture. Indeed, when we talk about racism, abortion, poverty, immigration, and the environment—these are all social justice issues. And Proverbs has an interesting take on this idea of justice - that only those who follow God know what true justice is.

When you think about it, this must be true, because we understand the ultimate justice - the one justice that really matters in eternity - is God’s justice with respect to sin. We know about sin and its penalty, and we know a just God has promised His wrath poured out against all of our wrongs. But we also know that God sent Jesus to pay that penalty for us. God’s justice was done, and the price was paid—but not by us, by God Himself. This is the most important kind of justice there is, and it's the story of the Gospel.

True, biblical social justice isn’t possible for those who don’t know the Gospel message. Without Christ, social justice becomes mere “good deeds” that will not keep people from the penalty for their sins. The Bible says these kinds of deeds are like filthy rags. Outside of Christ, though something we do may look good, there is really no good in us whatsoever. When Christians pursue issues of social justice in our culture, it should be in the context of living for Jesus, and, “to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” The works of social justice for the Christ follower are more than good deeds; they are acts that God has prepared for us to fulfill His purposes.

As Christians who value life, we can pray for God’s justice for those who practice abortion. We can advocate for life-affirming laws and policies. And we can elect officials who share life-affirming views. But as Christ-followers who “continue to work out our salvation,” our good deeds must not stop when babies don’t die at the hands of abortionists. Not dying is not the same thing as living and growing, flourishing. Babies need moms and dads to care for them, teach them who God is, and model for them what it means to know Jesus. Those moms and dads need support from Christ-followers who are willing to spend time loving on them and being an example to them.

Real social justice demands that our political views become personal views that we put into action. How many pro-life Christians are willing to be foster parents or support foster care and adoption? Who is willing to support a young, unwed mother who we have counseled to keep her baby, and see that she and the baby have a successful start to their mother-child relationship? In society, social justice is often defined as holding a certain view—being “on the right side of history” with respect to a stand on an issue or policy. Many times it's just about posting or marching, but not really making an effort individually to BE the change. Real social justice, as a Christ-follower, is a life that produces good deeds in keeping with those beliefs, because we have experienced ultimate justice from a just God.

God, thank You for sending Jesus to save me. Thank you that though You are just, and there is a penalty for my sin, You saved me from it. Now that I have lived in your justice, help me to seek out good deeds as one who knows what social justice really means. Show me ways I can go beyond just having a biblical stand for an issue to acting on it in ways that help my fellow man and show Your Gospel through my life each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.