Fighting Injustice: What The Bible Says To Me
The DVM For Hope blog is not overtly religious, but I am a Catholic Christian. As such, my desire to fight injustice is driven by my Christian values and by my desire to follow Christ, whom I consider my Lord and Savior. In these increasingly secular times, that statement may not sit well with some, but as Peter said: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:68 (NIV).
My journey to find ways to help others and to share some of what I learn has taken me to some places I never thought I’d go, and it has taught me a few lessons along the way. As a Christian, it has also given me new perspectives on some Bible passages, some of which I’ve known all my life and some of which are new to me. I thought this would be a good time to share some of them with my readers.
The Sheep And The Goats
…Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40 (NIV).
There are three parables in Matthew chapter 25, and the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats is my favorite. It can be found in verses 31-46. Theologically, the parable contains both a promise and a warning: a promise for those who help the naked, the prisoner, and the sick, and a warning to those who refuse them help. For our purposes though, the parable should remind us that Jesus can be found in others, including the prostitute, the trafficked girl, and even the pimp. When we refuse to help them, we refuse Christ.
Do Not Be Afraid
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
Psalms 91:5-7 (NIV).
On a trip into a dangerous part of the city, a woman who was with us said that she prayed this Psalm every day. I went home and read it and realized how profound it was. If God has called us to something, fear may be our natural response, but it isn’t a reason not to go.
Not A Human Battle
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesian 6:12 (NIV).
As a Christian, I believe in the Devil, and I believe in his power to corrupt and destroy. I personally believe that the Devil and his minions hate all that is good and innocent. I also believe that we are the hands, feet, mouth, eyes, and ears of God on this Earth. Whenever anyone asks me why God doesn’t help the suffering, I tell them that he does—that’s what we’re here for.
Do Not Tire Of Doing Good
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 (NIV).
Sometimes, when we’re trying to do the right thing, it seems like we aren’t making any progress. In anti-trafficking ministries, we want to see girls and women, once given the message of hope, choosing to be rescued by the dozens. Unfortunately, that just isn’t the reality. It might takes weeks or months of work to get one girl to decide to leave “the life,” and even then she might go right back to it. That’s why this verse in Galatians is one of my favorites; we are told to keep going, because God will use us to make a difference. Sometimes, we just have to be patient.
I would like to ask a favor of my readers: if you have a verse or passage that speaks to you, leave it in the comments. I would love to hear from you.
M.
Author: Matthew J. Nelson
Matthew Nelson started DVM For Hope to educate people about human trafficking and other injustices. He volunteers with several anti-trafficking organizations, speaks about sex trafficking, and is active on social media as both a blogger and editor. By day he is a veterinarian.
1 thought on “Fighting Injustice: What The Bible Says To Me”
We are not called upon to do all the good possible, but only that which we can do. Occupy yourself less about yourself and more about God. It is not enough to acknowledge our faults; we must correct them. Profit by the experiences of the past for the future. You will be happy in making others happy.
In the accomplishment of good we must show forth in our every act a perfect justice.
Do not require of everybody the same virtues and qualities. Bear with the defects of others. Endeavor not to cause others to suffer and you yourself try to endure the little annoyances which are unavoidable in the necessary relations with others.
Charity does not consist in loving one or two persons and being indifferent to all the rest.
If we love our Lord with our whole heart, if we serve him faithfully, we shall be happy even in this life.
To love in the right way is to accomplish the whole Law; it is to begin that happy life which will have its perfection only in heaven, where we shall live forever with a holy and perfect love.
by Mother Theodore Guerin (1798-1856)
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