When asked what my seminary students are passionate about, I immediately ticked off a few issues of social justice—the plight of the poor, the rights of minorities, and ending slavery and sex trafficking. And then it struck me. While this is an impressive list, something seems to be missing. The Bible teaches us to seek justice for the oppressed, but its longest chapter is a meandering poem about itself.
Could I imagine my students—could I imagine myself— being as passionate about the Word of God as the Israelite who wrote Psalm 119? Do we “delight in Your decrees” (Psalm 119:16) and rejoice “in Your laws as much as in riches” (Psalm 119:14)? Are we “always overwhelmed with a desire for Your regulations”? (Psalm 119:20).
God’s laws may not tug on our hearts like the sad and weary eyes of the oppressed, but we must never forget that the primary reason we care is because God cares, and His Word instructs us to fight for them. “Seek justice. Help the oppressed,” urges Isaiah. “Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows” (Isaiah 1:17). James concurs: “Pure and genuine religion . . . means caring for orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27).
Here’s one way to tell whether our right concern for social justice is replacing our passion for God’s Word. When we read something in Scripture that seems to oppose the rights of others, do we brush off the passage, or do we submit to it as God’s best for them? For example, do we believe God when He declares that homosexual practice is sin (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9), or do we look for a rationale to accept this behavior?
The best way to love people is to love God’s Word. Make Scripture your primary passion, then do what it says. You’ll help a lot of people.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 20:1-18
More:
Read Matthew 13:1-23 to learn the priority of both knowing God’s Word and doing what it says.
Next:
If your friends were asked to identify your passions, what would they say? What can you do to begin loving God’s Word more?
tom felten on September 28, 2012 at 10:07 am
Mike, I’m reminded daily that the values of this world conflict with those of God’s Word. Tolerance trumps truth. Feelings are greater than facts. So it’s vital that we feed on Scripture and expand our knowledge of it. As Paul wrote, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This past week, the “odj would like to know poll” (on this page) asked what was the greatest challenge people faced in understanding God’s Word better. By a wide margin, most people chose “not studying it enough.” May we all begin to dig even more into God’s Word daily and grow in our ability to reveal what is says in our words and actions.
mike wittmer on September 28, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Tom: I am leading a senior high small group this semester–a group of good guys who grew up in church, but they don’t know their Bibles well. They admitted they don’t even read much of anything. I think this could be a problem!
cali4ange on September 29, 2012 at 2:04 pm
It is a problem in today’s generation, when people are caught up with being busy with technology, with materialism, partying, etc… Books are being replaced by digital reads, now if you are reading it through kindle/ipad, what will people do, read, or play games or interact in a software? Granted, so many resources online to read the bible and devotionals, but it’s a matter of taking time away from being busy or taking time away from being occupied with other things that you can find online. Also, when there is no focus to read what book/chapter, people can feel at a loss to where to start. A good start would probably be from their church to challenge them to read and go over discussion. Another issue is how often do people go to bible study to reflect on passages?
dreamer737 on October 17, 2012 at 4:56 pm
You mirror my thoughts beautifully. TY
followingHim on September 28, 2012 at 2:01 pm
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Prov. 14.22, 16.25)
As true for nations and civilizations as it is for individual men and women.
mike wittmer on September 28, 2012 at 3:19 pm
This is right on. May I allow the Word of God to tell me what is right and wrong, good and bad. After all, He would know best.
dreamer737 on October 17, 2012 at 5:03 pm
Prov 14.22, 16.25 are one of many favourites of mine. Unfortunately many of my church friends think I’m too serious and fatalistic. It’s a matter of who really is in control of our lives? GOD?…or us; and are we spiritually mature enough through meditation on the scriptures daily to hand GOD control over our lives? Ultimately, all must be done loving all of our sisters and brothers as Jesus did no matter their choices and to pray for each other daily.