Social Action: Efforts to Change Society

This article explores why Christians engage in social action, how compassion builds bridges to the gospel, and how to keep service in balance.

Caring for Our Society

Social action endeavours to alter or modify current practices of society to bring about benefit. However, such actions can only be as good as the premises they are based on. Christians have good reason to be involved in activities that promote the Kingdom of God and its values. Activities that demean certain segments of society or fail to protect the weak and vulnerable are to be denounced.

Generally in caring for our society we should take responsibility for our environment and fellow citizens – remembering Jesus’ Golden Rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Lk 6:31). That rule begins with a personal question each of us must ask: who is my neighbour, and how can I do for them what I would like done to me? The care we long to receive is the very care we are to give – gladly, compassionately and without expecting anything in return. Yet love must also be wise: we are not to do for people what they should be doing for themselves. Rather than handouts, which can bring needed temporary relief but create dependency, a better long-term solution is hand-ups that provide opportunities for people to help themselves, thus bringing empowerment and hope. In the Old Testament, gleaning was a type of welfare program. Israelite law demanded that the corners of the fields were not to be harvested and any stalks of grain dropped by the reapers were to be left for the poor people to glean for their own use (Lev 19:9, 23:22; Deut 24:19). These gleaners were not stealing; rather they were self-motivated and proactive to provide for their needs.

Jesus showed deep compassion for the poor, the sick, the dispossessed and the outcasts of society. He healed many and took care of their physical or emotional needs not just to alleviate their present ‘felt’ need but so they would turn to Him – the only one who could adequately take care of their spiritual needs. He was most concerned about

In what way am I helping to make the world a better place?

the state of their souls and preached the gospel of repentance from sin so they understood that their eternal destiny was far more important than their circumstances here on earth.

A Bridge to the Gospel

Social action should not be an end in itself, but rather a pathway to point people to Jesus. While there are numerous ways to connect with people, to be effective it must appear to meet their perceived need. As people’s ‘felt’ or real concerns (as they view things) are attended to, you have built a ‘bridge’ to them, earning the right to speak into their lives in a friendly caring way about Jesus. Wisdom and discernment are needed here – to weigh each situation carefully, distinguish the presenting need from the real one, and judge the moment and manner in which God would have us act.

We must determine the most appropriate course of action

Christians should be socially active to the extent God would have them do so, aware “If anyone...knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them” (Jas 4:17). As believers, we take the Holy Spirit with us wherever we go and so are to be salt and light in our home, on the job and in our communities – flavouring, challenging, and bringing the illumination of Jesus everywhere we can (Mt 5:13-16; 1 Cor 6:19-20).

A Sensible Balance

To be truly whole people, the needs of the spirit, soul and body must be addressed. While those of the spirit have the most long-lasting implications, this is not to belittle the felt requirements in the other areas of our composite beings. There must be a sensible balance. Jesus modelled this: He fed the hungry, healed the sick and welcomed children, yet He never allowed meeting physical needs to crowd out His primary mission of preaching the good news of the kingdom (Mk 1:35-38; Lk 9:11). "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Mt 16:26).

Two extremes are to be avoided. The first is a Christianity of words without deeds – offering "God bless you" to a person who lacks food or clothing while doing nothing about it (Jas 2:15-17). Faith that is genuine will express itself in practical love. The second extreme is a humanitarianism of deeds without words – relieving present suffering while leaving people unaware of the Saviour who can meet their deepest need. Feed a person and they are fed for a day; introduce them to Christ and they, in turn, can reach their family and community (Jn 6:26-27).

A sensible balance means assessing each situation as the Spirit leads. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is give a meal, pay a bill or visit a lonely neighbour; at other times it is to share the gospel with someone whose circumstances are already favourable to hearing it. Paul desired to be "all things to all people" so that by all possible means some might be saved (1 Cor 9:22). Ministry effectiveness is measured not by choosing between compassion and proclamation, but by exercising both in the measure and manner God directs.

Does my service address the whole person – or only one part?

Reflection and Application:

Identify one practical way you can help someone in need this week.
Ask whether your help empowers people or creates dependency.
Look for a ‘felt’ need that opens a friendly conversation about Jesus.
Choose where you can be salt and light in your community... then follow through on it with one specific action this month.