It seems as if politics are taking center stage in a lot of Facebook conversations. And many of the conversations inevitably turn to social justice. In fact if you read the online publications of most denominations you will find them filled with social justice projects.

Recently I’ve been involved in a couple of conversations online where it’s clear that both groups were trying to play social justice and making disciples against one another. And many of the conversations boil down to social justice considered to be the primary concern of the Scriptures. I don’t buy that one bit.

Sure, social justice is important. But so is disciple making. Is one more important than the other?  I don’t think so and I’ll tell you why.

The truth is, making disciples is the foundation for social justice. A disciple of Jesus Christ can’t be anything but just. It goes with the territory. People who believe social justice is the foundation of Christianity fail to understand a common principle of Scriptures – all humans are flawed and left to themselves are less than good. That’s where redemption comes in. 

The truth is, making disciples is the foundation for social justice.

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So, here is what I say to those who play social justice and making disciples against one another – they are two sides of the same coin. If you want social justice, then make disciples of Jesus Christ. Only then can you begin to have some assurance of social Justice. Does this mean all Christians are pure and never stumble? Of course not. But it does mean they don’t live their entire existence in the toilet.

I think one of the reasons that Mainline Churches are in decline is that they have focused more on social justice than disciple making. It’s as if they believe doing good is the essence of Christianity. But it isn’t. Doing good is the result of our redemption.

So, I return to my basic premise – making disciples is the foundation for social justice. They are two sides of the same coin.  So, let’s stop playing one against the other.