Awakened to Injustice: How Scripture Commands Us to Be Woke
Awakened to Injustice: How Scripture Commands Us to Be Woke
Church of Deets
Awakened to Injustice:
How Scripture Commands Us to Be Woke
Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Spirit, we gather today with open hearts and open minds, ready to receive the wisdom You have placed in Scripture. We seek Your guidance in understanding Your call to justice, compassion, and truth. Illuminate Your Word for us so that we may better understand how to live lives that reflect Your love and Your commandments. Help us to see the connections between the teachings of the Bible and the need to be awake—"woke"—to the suffering and injustice in the world. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Introduction: What Does It Mean to Be "Woke"?
The term "woke" in modern times is often used as a social awareness of injustice, inequality, and systemic wrongs. It's about being attuned to the struggles of others, advocating for marginalized communities, and standing against oppression. Some use the word as a criticism, equating it with political agendas or divisiveness. However, I invite us to explore "woke" in a different light: as a spiritual and Biblical concept.
To be "woke" is to be aware, to be alert to the realities of the world, and to respond with a heart aligned with God’s justice and mercy. This kind of awareness isn’t just a social movement; it is deeply rooted in Scripture. In fact, the Bible calls us to a heightened awareness of injustice, to action in the face of oppression, and to compassion for the downtrodden. From the prophets of the Old Testament to the teachings of Jesus Christ, Scripture commands us to be “woke”—to awaken to the truth of God's love for all humanity and His demand for justice.
Let’s embark on this journey together, exploring how being "woke" aligns with Biblical teachings and how we can live out this call faithfully.
I. The Call to Justice in the Old Testament
The Bible is full of commands to seek justice and righteousness. In fact, the Hebrew Scriptures repeatedly tell the story of a God who sides with the oppressed and the marginalized.
1. Micah 6:8 – "Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly"
Micah 6:8 is one of the most profound calls to action in all of Scripture:
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
This passage reflects the essence of what it means to be "woke" in the Biblical sense. It calls for justice—not as a suggestion but as a requirement of living in covenant with God. The command to "act justly" is rooted in a heart of mercy and humility, recognizing that justice is not a tool of oppression but one of restoration and healing.
Being "woke" means recognizing that the systems of the world often perpetuate inequality and injustice. As followers of God, we are called to act in ways that restore balance, that ensure fairness, and that uphold the dignity of every person. This is exactly what Micah 6:8 instructs us to do.
2. Isaiah 1:17 – "Seek Justice, Defend the Oppressed"
Isaiah’s message is equally clear:
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
Here we see another powerful call to justice, specifically focused on defending those who are vulnerable. Widows, orphans, the oppressed—these groups were often forgotten by the society of Isaiah's time, just as certain marginalized groups can be today. But God’s instruction is clear: seek justice for them, defend them, and take up their cause.
In today’s world, when we speak of being "woke," we are talking about being conscious of the ways in which certain groups continue to be oppressed. Whether it’s through racial injustice, economic disparity, or other forms of discrimination, the call to action is the same. Isaiah’s words encourage us to not remain passive but to be proactive in defending the rights of others.
3. Amos 5:24 – "Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters"
Amos, another prophet, cried out against the corruption and injustice he saw in Israel. In Amos 5:24, he delivers one of the Bible’s most famous calls for justice:
"But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”
This passage is a vision of justice that is not stagnant or temporary, but ever-flowing. To be "woke" in the Biblical sense is to work for a world where justice continually rolls, where righteousness is ever-present. It is not enough to talk about justice; we must live it out. We must be part of the movement that brings justice into every corner of our world, just as a river brings life to the land it touches.
II. Jesus and the "Woke" Gospel
Moving into the New Testament, we find that Jesus embodies what it means to be "woke" in His ministry. His teachings and actions consistently uplifted the marginalized and called out the hypocrisy and injustice of His day.
1. The Beatitudes – Blessed Are the Oppressed
In Matthew 5, Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount, and in this sermon, He declares blessings on those who are poor, who mourn, and who hunger and thirst for righteousness. He blesses those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake and those who are merciful.
These blessings are revolutionary in their time and remain so today. Jesus flips the societal script by telling the marginalized that they are blessed. He sees their suffering and their oppression, and He gives them dignity. He tells them that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.
To be "woke" in a Biblical sense is to see the world the way Jesus does: to acknowledge that those who are suffering, oppressed, and marginalized are loved by God and are deserving of dignity and justice. Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes call us to action—to stand alongside those who are oppressed and to work for a world where their humanity is recognized.
2. Luke 4:18 – The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me
In Luke 4:18, Jesus begins His public ministry by reading from the scroll of Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
This passage is often seen as Jesus' mission statement, and it is fundamentally about justice. Jesus proclaims freedom for the oppressed, liberation for captives, and good news for the poor. His ministry is one of restoration and empowerment for those whom society has rejected.
Being "woke," according to the Bible, means aligning ourselves with this mission. It means speaking truth to power, just as Jesus did. It means challenging systems of oppression, just as Jesus did. It means proclaiming freedom and liberation for those who are bound by injustice, just as Jesus did.
III. The Early Church: A Community of Equity
After Jesus' death, the early church continued this radical commitment to justice and equity.
1. Acts 2:44-45 – Sharing All Things in Common
One of the earliest descriptions of the Christian community is found in Acts 2:44-45:
"All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”
This is a picture of a community that was woke to the needs of its members. The early church didn't just preach about justice; they practiced it. They recognized that true equality meant sharing resources so that no one would be in need. This is a Biblical model of equity—a model that goes beyond charity and calls for systemic change.
Being "woke" in today’s world means recognizing the economic inequalities that exist and working toward a more equitable distribution of resources. It means being willing to share our abundance with those who are lacking, just as the early church did.
2. James 1:27 – Pure Religion is Justice for the Vulnerable
James 1:27 sums up the heart of Christian ethics:
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
In this verse, James defines true religion not by rituals or doctrines but by the care of the vulnerable. In Biblical times, widows and orphans were among the most marginalized, and James tells us that true faith is reflected in how we care for those who are suffering.
To be "woke" is to practice this kind of religion—a religion that is concerned with justice and compassion. It is not enough to believe the right things; we must also do the right things. We must care for the vulnerable and work to address the systemic issues that lead to their oppression.
IV. The Biblical Call to Anti-Racism
In today’s context, one of the central themes of being "woke" is recognizing and opposing racism. This, too, is deeply Biblical. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible consistently affirms the equal dignity of all people, regardless of race or ethnicity.
1. Genesis 1:27 – Created in the Image of God
The foundational verse for understanding human equality is found in Genesis 1:27:
"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Every human being is made in the image of God, and this truth forms the bedrock of the Biblical call to oppose racism and any form of discrimination. To be "woke" in a Biblical sense means recognizing that every person, regardless of their race, gender, or nationality, bears the image of God and therefore deserves dignity and respect. Any system, law, or practice that devalues or dehumanizes another person is in direct opposition to this fundamental truth of Scripture.
Racism denies the divine image in others and fosters division, hatred, and oppression—things that go against the very heart of God. To embrace a Biblical "wokeness" is to actively combat such injustice, as it denies the inherent worth that God has instilled in every human being.
2. Galatians 3:28 – One in Christ
The Apostle Paul powerfully declares in Galatians 3:28:
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Paul addresses the divisions that were present in his day—racial, economic, and gender-based divisions. He emphatically declares that in Christ, these divisions are rendered meaningless because we are all united in Him. To be "woke" in the Biblical sense means acknowledging this unity and standing against any system or ideology that seeks to divide us based on race, class, or gender.
In a world where racism and inequality persist, this verse is a clarion call for the Church to rise up in opposition to these evils. We are called to live out the reality that in Christ, all people are one, and any form of discrimination is a rejection of the Gospel itself.
3. Revelation 7:9 – A Multicultural Vision of Heaven
The book of Revelation gives us a powerful glimpse of the ultimate fulfillment of God’s kingdom, and it is a vision of diversity and unity. In Revelation 7:9, John describes his vision of heaven:
"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb."
This is a picture of God's redeemed people, gathered from every corner of the earth. It is a vision of racial and cultural diversity united in worship of the Lamb. To be "woke" in a Biblical sense is to live in anticipation of this reality, working to break down the barriers of racism and division here on earth, in preparation for the diverse and united Kingdom of God.
V. Loving Our Neighbor as Ourselves: The Core of Biblical Wokeness
At the heart of Biblical "wokeness" is the command to love our neighbor as ourselves. This is not merely a suggestion; it is the second greatest commandment, as Jesus Himself said in Matthew 22:39. But what does it truly mean to love our neighbor in a world filled with inequality, injustice, and oppression?
1. The Parable of the Good Samaritan – A Model of Active Compassion
In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus tells the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In this story, a man is beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. Religious leaders pass by, but a Samaritan—a member of a despised ethnic group—stops and helps the man. He not only tends to his wounds but also pays for his care and ensures his recovery.
Jesus uses this parable to illustrate what it means to love our neighbor. The Samaritan was "woke" to the suffering of another, even someone from a different ethnic group, and acted with compassion. This is the model for us today: to be aware of the suffering and injustice around us and to act, not with indifference or judgment, but with love and compassion.
Being "woke" is not just about acknowledging the existence of injustice; it’s about taking action to address it, just as the Good Samaritan did. Loving our neighbor means standing up for those who are marginalized, speaking out against oppression, and working to create a world where justice prevails.
2. Matthew 25:40 – Whatever You Did for the Least of These
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus speaks about the final judgment, where He separates the righteous from the unrighteous. He says:
"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
This passage is a profound reminder that Jesus identifies with the marginalized—the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. To be "woke" in the Biblical sense is to recognize Jesus in the faces of the oppressed and the suffering and to treat them with the love and dignity that we would show to Christ Himself.
When we care for the "least of these," we are not only fulfilling the command to love our neighbor; we are serving Jesus directly. This is the essence of Biblical wokeness: seeing the image of God in all people and responding with justice, mercy, and love.
VI. Biblical Wokeness and Systemic Injustice
The Bible is not silent on the issue of systemic injustice. In fact, it consistently calls out corrupt systems and rulers who oppress the poor, exploit the vulnerable, and deny justice to the needy.
1. Exodus – A God Who Liberates the Oppressed
The story of the Exodus is one of the most powerful narratives of liberation in all of Scripture. The Israelites were enslaved and oppressed by Pharaoh, but God heard their cries and delivered them from bondage. God’s actions in the Exodus demonstrate His heart for the oppressed and His desire to see them set free.
To be "woke" is to recognize the ways in which systemic injustice still operates in our world today, whether it be in the form of economic inequality, racial discrimination, or environmental degradation. Just as God worked to liberate the Israelites, we are called to be agents of liberation in our world, working to dismantle systems of oppression and create a more just society.
2. The Prophets – Speaking Truth to Power
Throughout the Old Testament, the prophets were "woke" to the injustices of their time and spoke out boldly against corrupt leaders and systems. Whether it was Amos calling out the exploitation of the poor or Jeremiah condemning the false prophets who led people astray, the prophets were unafraid to challenge the status quo in the name of justice.
Being "woke" in a Biblical sense means following in the footsteps of the prophets, speaking truth to power and challenging unjust systems, even when it is unpopular or risky. It means using our voices to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves and to demand justice for the oppressed.
Conclusion: A Woke Faith, Rooted in Scripture
In conclusion, to be "woke" is not just a cultural or political stance; it is a deeply Biblical one. From the call for justice in the Old Testament to the teachings and actions of Jesus, from the radical equity of the early Church to the vision of a diverse and united Kingdom of God, Scripture consistently calls us to be aware of injustice, to stand with the oppressed, and to work for a world that reflects God’s love and justice.
The Bible teaches us that true faith is not passive; it is active. It calls us to wake up to the suffering and injustice around us and to respond with compassion, action, and a commitment to justice. Being "woke" in the Biblical sense is about embodying the love of Christ in a broken world, fighting for justice, and building a community where all are seen, valued, and loved.
May we, as followers of Jesus, be "woke" to the realities of our world and faithful to the call of Scripture. Let us be the hands and feet of Christ, working for justice and mercy, so that we may one day hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Closing Prayer:
Lord, we thank You for the clarity of Your Word, which calls us to justice, mercy, and love. Help us to remain awake to the needs of the world around us and to act with the compassion and boldness that You modeled through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Guide us as we work for Your Kingdom, where justice flows like a river and righteousness like a never-failing stream. In Your holy name, we pray.
Amen.
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