{"id":274,"date":"2023-08-21T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-21T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/?p=274"},"modified":"2023-08-13T10:25:13","modified_gmt":"2023-08-13T14:25:13","slug":"humanitarian-action-and-human-rights-why-humanitarianism-is-urgent-for-christians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ellagrace.blog\/index.php\/2023\/08\/21\/humanitarian-action-and-human-rights-why-humanitarianism-is-urgent-for-christians\/","title":{"rendered":"Humanitarian Action and Human Rights: Why Humanitarianism is Urgent for Christians"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Read to the end for a FREE downloadable guided journal prompt!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Backstory: So it Begins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Today, I\u2019ll be starting a new journey pursuing a graduate degree in Humanitarian Action and Human Rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After being out of college for over 5 years with a background in anthropology and directionless in what future I felt God was leading me toward, I took the smallest flame I felt burning in my heart and decided to run with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot of people seem like they have a dream that God has placed in their heart or a purpose or goal they wish to fulfill, but I\u2019ve always struggled with placing a finger on what I truly desired to do in life. Everything my mind came to over the years as a possible future to pursue just hadn\u2019t seemed right or fulfilling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until the beginning of this year that is, when a desire to help people in North Korea smacked me right in the face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re interested in the full story as to why I\u2019m starting this journey in a humanitarian action degree, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skip to Today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But skipping the long backstory, this post is the start of a new series here at Faith and Freedom where we\u2019ll look at humanitarian-related topics and oppression of human rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This series on humanitarian topics was created out of a need for the body of Christ to be reminded that we should be concerned with human rights and humanitarian efforts on a global scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bringing God\u2019s Kingdom Values to Earth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our God is a God of justice and it\u2019s only fitting that we follow His example to fight for the oppressed. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Too often in our everyday lives, if we\u2019re blessed to be living under a religious-tolerant rule of government, we tend to forget those in far away nations that are living through horrendous situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When difficult things are out of our sight, out of our daily scrolling through social media, it\u2019s easy to become hyper-focused on our everyday, small circle of community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s important to tend to the needs of those around us, to be a part of and serve a local community, we must not forget those around the world who need assistance and who need brave people to help fight for their rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Human Rights and Social Justice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the idea of human rights and social justice in today\u2019s world appears to have taken a turn toward the secular in some ideologies, the foundation for human rights is found in God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\/a> (UDHR) in 1948, and even though it does not specifically reference God or any definite religion, Christian values and morals are the undercurrent carrying the truth, value, and validity of the document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Christian understanding of human rights posits that as humans were made in the image of God, and are therefore rightly called His \u201cimage bearers\u201d, all humans have innate value as a creation in the likeness of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This makes our worth and dignity inherent and inseparable from who we are, whether governments and other bodies of authority recognize human rights or not.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

God created humans and called them good creations that He set apart and placed above all His other works. He placed a value on us that is over and above every other created thing (Genesis 1:26-27).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We all have rights, regardless of our location, nationality, ethnicity, culture, socio-economic standing, or the government we live under, because each of us is made in the image of God, imputing an undeniable worth and dignity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Christians, it\u2019s important that we see all others as equal image bearers of God and treat them as God\u2019s beloved children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Christian\u2019s Imperative<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If we love Christ, we should be caring for His children (Matthew 25:25-40). God directs us to love others (John 15:12-13) and defend the needy and the hurting (Psalm 82:2-4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All throughout the Bible are verses about God\u2019s love, mercy, and care for the hurting and oppressed. And there are plenty of verses that show us we should be doing the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Acts chapter 20, we are commanded to help the weak (Acts 20:35).<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

We should be responding to the great needs around the world with love and hope, not shrink back from responsibility because of fear and our tendency to avoid the bleak realities of suffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we trust in God, we should be careful to devote ourselves to doing good (Titus 3:8), and to speak up for those who have no voice (Proverbs 31:8).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s live our lives with mercy, love, and compassion for those who are desperately in need of someone to show them Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Our Calls to Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Below are just a few verses reminding of us of our call to humanitarian action:<\/p>\n\n\n\n