Friday: Further Thought – Love and Justice: The Two Greatest Commandments
Daily Lesson for Friday 21st of March 2025
Read Ellen G. White, “The Sabbath,” Pages 281–289, in The Desire of Ages.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“The spies dared not answer Christ in the presence of the multitude, for fear of involving themselves in difficulty. They knew that He had spoken the truth. Rather than violate their traditions, they would leave a man to suffer, while they would relieve a brute because of the loss to the owner if it were neglected. Thus greater care was shown for a dumb animal than for man, who is made in the image of God. This illustrates the working of all false religions. They originate in man’s desire to exalt himself above God, but they result in degrading man below the brute. Every religion that wars against the sovereignty of God defrauds man of the glory which was his at the Creation, and which is to be restored to him in Christ. Every false religion teaches its adherents to be careless of human needs, sufferings, and rights. The gospel places a high value upon humanity as the purchase of the blood of Christ, and it teaches a tender regard for the wants and woes of man. The Lord says, ‘I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.’ Isaiah 13:12.
“When Jesus turned upon the Pharisees with the question whether it was lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill, He confronted them with their own wicked purposes. They were hunting His life with bitter hatred, while He was saving life and bringing happiness to multitudes. Was it better to slay upon the Sabbath, as they were planning to do, than to heal the afflicted, as He had done? Was it more righteous to have murder in the heart upon God’s holy day than love to all men, which finds expression in deeds of mercy?”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, Pages 286, 287.
Discussion Questions
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We have at times held the notion of the ”Social Gospel” in theological contempt and indeed if you were to listen to many of the discussions in Seventh-day Adventist circles, doctrinal purity and defence of our beliefs seems to occupy more of our time than anything else.
The Social Gospel movement was an early twentieth century movement that promoted the idea that the Kingdom of Heaven is to be achieved on Earth by applying social reform. Seventh-day Adventists took issue with this notion believing that we will only reach the Kingdom of Heaven at the Second Coming.
Rather than amplifying the differences we have with the “Social Gospel” stereotype we probably need to remind ourselves of a couple of things:
Our Christianity is not an island where we keep ourselves pure. Rather it should be like salt, mixed in with food to enhance the flavour. Jesus did not spend a lot of time discussing theology. Rather, his sermons were more about how to interact with others unselfishly. His references to the Kingdom of Heaven are as much about living in the Kingdom here on Earth as about an eternal Kingdom in a heavenly place. He spent much of his time working within his social context, healing the sick, and restoring those who had been abused.
We look forward to a heavenly Kingdom of God but that does not absolve us from seeking justice for those who are unjustly treated, reduction in poverty, easing of racial and ethnic tensions, fighting against human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and support for those who find themselves ensnared in alcoholism and drug dependency.
Our theology may be heavenly minded, but it has to work within the context of our social interaction with others.
As we have already noted this week:
God came down into the pit with us and interacted with us. He didn’t save us by remote control.
Indeed, Maurice! Depending upon what definition of "social gospel" you may identify with, Jesus ministry on earth was definitely a social gospel presentation and demonstration. He met the people's needs first before bidding them to follow him. This quote from Ellen White succinctly captures both Christ's ministry, as well as our own.
"Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with people as one who desired their good. He showed sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He invited them, “Follow Me.”
We need to come close to the people by personal effort. If we would give less time to sermonizing and more time to personal ministry, greater results would be seen. The poor are to be relieved, the sick cared for, the sorrowing and the bereaved comforted, the ignorant instructed, the inexperienced counseled. We are to weep with those who weep and to rejoice with those who rejoice. Accompanied by the power of persuasion, the power of prayer, the power of the love of God, this work will not, cannot, be without fruit."
The Ministry of Healing, p.73
This was Christ's "social gospel" ministry and are our marching orders and call to service. Christians as the "salt of the earth," must get out of the proverbial shaker and out into the streets. Jesus didn't set up shop in Jerusalem and tell people to come see him there. No he went to the people, and the word on the streets got out that this preacher/teacher was radically different than the Pharisees and Sadducees. He actually cared for the "underdog," the downcast, and downtrodden. So must we.
By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” John 13:35 Amplified Bible