action and welfare, socially...?

I read a copy of an essay about Social Justice from Todd a couple months ago and was reflecting upon it recently. Here is the gist of the essay...

"Social welfare" refers to the actions of individual Christians or a group of Christians by which they do good for others. "Social action" refers to actions intended to change social structures, most often played out politically. We must assume that social welfare is a good thing, at least to the 'normal' person with any set of values and morals, Christian or not. Doing good for the direct physical effect of others is noble and there are few who can argue otherwise. But, social action, on the other hand, is and has been disputed over the years by Christians and non-Christians alike. That is, does the Christian have a right to move socially on the basis of Christian belief..?

I believe the answer is a resounding yes.

We must be careful here in because the "Christian" message is often corrupted and abused by culture, society, fear and sometimes even the religious majority. That is, I define the Christian belief as one of absolute adherance to the teachings and commands of Jesus Christ. It is NOT a politically justified call to wealth as some might have you believe. It is NOT a right to condemn men, cultures, races or countries based on a false security of one's own country, culture, society or race being greater than anothers as others might have you believe. It is NOT a necessarily conservative nor liberal stronghold on a given subject as some might teach. It is NOT a political objective in order to gain power and/or position in order to quash the minority. Christian belief is NOT an excuse to oppress, hate, abuse or neglect anyone less fortunate, less intellectual, less wealthy, or less powerful.

It IS a truth about love. When boiled down to the very core, Jesus Christ lived because of love. He was born to a virgin, lived a blameless and righteous life, preached a message of love and forgiveness, was sent to the cross, died for the sins of many, and rose again to conquer death - all because of love. He was and is the essence of love.

The Christian belief is also one of love, because if we truly follow Jesus, than we have absolutely no choice other than to love. None. Any political, social or economic policy which steps on the sanctity of love, which oppresses others or which fails to uphold the truth of love must be questioned. Action should result when love is compromised.

This is why I'm thankful for JR who has helped start the Solis Foundation. This is why I'm thankful for Sander who sees the need to uphold God's truth. This is why I'm thankful for Bono (though some may think of some controversy surrounding "COEXIST"), because he understands that the world and it's people are ours to LOVE. This is why I'm thankful for the Zolder, because they see that church isn't meant to be about religion, but because it's meant to build community and take care of people as Jesus commanded. This is why I'm thankful for my wife, whose heart aches everytime she sees a child without a mother, a baby without food or a mother without resources to provide either.

What will I do...? Social Action is necessary.