Social action for Christians is essentially putting our faith into action in society. We are told to share God’s love with the world not just in word, but in deed. It involves getting out of our comfort zones and getting out of our church and CU buildings! It is incredibly exciting! We have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus and with the good news of Jesus, we can bring:
- hope to the hopeless
- freedom for the captives
- justice for the oppressed
- acceptance for the rejected
- comfort for those in mourning
- food for the hungry
- provision for the poor
- peace for those in turmoil
- a Father to the fatherless
- the best, closest and most faithful friend for the friendless
- ……I could go on and on!
This truth is proclaimed in Isaiah 61, which is a fundamental passage for us as a CU:
“1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn. 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. …………….
7” Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs. 8 "For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity.”
God gives each of us all specific gifts and passions and so we carry out this lifestyle in very different ways whether that is by: giving money, volunteering with charities, campaigning for an issue of justice, giving a hot drink to a homeless person, sitting next to that person in your lectures who always sits alone, mourning with a grieving friend, making an effort to recycle more, using their summer to work in an African orphanage or even by giving someone chocolate! God delights in such things whether they are “big” or “small”!
Our world is in a sad state, some of which is described in this passage:
“1 Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed— and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors— and they have no comforter.
2 And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive……….
10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”
As a CU, we specifically are seeking to serve God in this university so we are always looking for creative new ways to do this. Social action is a form of worship and thus is also part of a lifestyle not just a one-off act. However as a CU we do try to offer you ways to do specific things too:
- Societies – The university has so many brilliant societies that are already doing such a great work and so we primarily encourage that you get involved with these and support them in whatever way you can. For more information check out www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/societies, especially the campaigning and charities sections.
- Streetwork – Every Friday night, after our weekly team meeting, a group go
out with flasks of hot coffee and biscuits to go and serve to the homeless people on the streets at that time. This is such an amazing opportunity to practically show God’s love and although (for me at least!) it seems daunting at first, it’s really enjoyable as the people we meet are great conversationalists! - Fundraising events – In the past we have run art for mercy auctions, an acoustic and chocolate fondue night for Stop the Traffik, charity sleepouts and we look forward to many more events in the future!
- Mission trips – Tying in with the international work, there are many opportunities to serve overseas or even right here in Edinburgh mainly during the summer break. Contact the international sec for more info.
And so “let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love” (1 John 3:18 – The
Message)