There are many ethical issues in the world today that need our attention. Sadly, it is often with these issues that Christians retreat under pressure or turn a deaf ear. I was inspired to get involved in ethical issues after reading Counter Culture: Following Christ in an Anti-Christian Age by David Platt.
This book was a required textbook for a class I took as part of seminary. Ever since I read this book, it has inspired me to research ethical issues and help seek out ways that I can help different causes in my own personal life. Here are three ethical issues Christians need to address.
1. Human Trafficking
The first ethical issue Christians need to address is human trafficking. Human trafficking is a widespread problem that stretches across the globe. The countries with the highest rate of human trafficking are Pakistan, Thailand, China, and India.
In these areas, human trafficking is easily hidden, and oftentimes, the government is part of the human trafficking business. Human trafficking is a horrible practice that needs to be eradicated in the world today.
Those who are involved in human trafficking are slaves in the modern day, and we must do everything we can to set them free physically, mentally, and spiritually.
When Jesus came to the earth, He told us He came to set the captives free and to give them life (Luke 4:18). In the same way, Jesus wants us to continue on in His mission and to set the captives free.
It might seem as if there is nothing we can do to help end human trafficking, but there is much we can do. Many of us overlook these matters because we do not feel like they are close to our homes.
This is where we are wrong because human trafficking is all around us, even in America. Alabama is known to be the state to have the most human trafficking in the United States. As one can see, human trafficking is much closer than we may think, and it might even be in your own city.
As Christians, we need to speak out, step up, and help those affected by this tragedy. The best ways we can help prevent human trafficking are by praying for them, educating ourselves and others, staying informed of what’s going on, volunteering with human trafficking ministries, and donating to ministries that help rescue those trapped in human trafficking.
Anyone can make a difference in the world. By getting involved in helping prevent and end human trafficking, you could help save many girls and boys from the horrible prison of human trafficking.
Most of the individuals involved in human trafficking were abducted or sold to go into the “business.” These girls and boys are often quite young when they are forced into human trafficking, with a median range of 11 to 14 years old.
As Christians, we cannot let this go on. Knowing that there are helpless children, young adults, and women involved in human trafficking should keep us up at night, and it needs to stir us to action. Praying is important, but we must also take physical steps to help end human trafficking.
2. Child Labor
A second ethical issue that Christians need to address is child labor. Living in the 21st century might make us think we are free of these inhumane practices, yet we are still having child labor across the globe.
Many countries do not have child labor laws; therefore, they continue with the practice of child labor. Even many countries that do have child labor laws still have criminals who break the law by using child labor at their companies.
A few very popular companies use child labor, including Nestlé, H&M, Microsoft, Apple, and Hershey’s.
Child labor is not something that should be accepted within the Christian community. Rather, we need to speak out and take steps to help end child labor.
A great way you can help take an active stand against child labor is by not buying from companies that are known to use child labor, such as the companies listed above.
About a year ago, my sister discovered the child labor epidemic, and we stopped purchasing any products from companies that were known to use child labor. In your own life, this is a great step you can take to take a stand against child labor.
In addition to ceasing to purchase products from these companies, you can also get involved with local nonprofit organizations and local ministries that help prevent and end child labor.
No child deserves to be born into a life of enslavement. As Christians, we need to do all we can to help these children and bring them true freedom from their slavery.
3. Discrimination
A third ethical issue Christians need to address is discrimination. Discrimination is a huge problem in the modern day, which needs to be eradicated. The Bible directly condemns discrimination as God loves all people equally (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17).
All people are made in the image of God, which means we are all equally loved by God (Genesis 1:27). No one is “better” than anyone else as we are all equal in every form and fashion.
Furthermore, the Bible tells us, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). It is only because of sin in the world that discrimination exists.
Discrimination is rooted in the sin of pride because those who discriminate against others think they are better than others based on their ethnicity, gender, or financial situation. As Christians, we must not discriminate against one another.
James, the Lord’s half-brother, tells us, “Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, ‘Here’s a good seat for you,’ but say to the poor man, ‘You stand there’ or ‘Sit on the floor by my feet,’ have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:2-4).
Discrimination can be eradicated by choosing to not discriminate and not be prejudiced against others. Jesus tells us to love all people, which means all people (John 13:34-35).
As Christians, we certainly should not discriminate against one another, but rather, we should love our fellow brothers and sisters and build them up in Christ.
It is a sin to discriminate and look down on others. If you have personally struggled with discriminating against others or being prejudiced against others, you can ask God for forgiveness and choose to turn away from this sin. Choose to love others as God tells us and choose to leave hatred behind.
Ethical Issues
There are many more ethical issues that were not addressed in this article, yet we should actively continue to seek out ways in which we can help address ethical issues in our own lives.
In every situation, we need to imagine ourselves in the other person’s shoes and truly think about what it would be to be trapped in human trafficking, a captive in child labor, or discriminated against because of our ethnicity, gender, or job.
As Christians, we are called to a higher standard to love others, and this includes providing not only for others' spiritual needs but also for their physical, mental, and personal wellbeing.
With ethical issues, such as human trafficking, child labor, and discrimination still being present in the modern day, there is much that we need to do to improve and help educate ourselves, educate others, and step out and make a difference.
For further reading:
Is the System of Christian Ethics Biblical?
How Should Christians Respond to Protesting?
Why Should We Not Be Weary in Doing Good?
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Vivian Bricker obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry, followed by a Master of Arts with an emphasis in theology. She loves all things theology, mission work, and helping others learn about Jesus. Find more of her content at Cultivate: https://cultivatechristianity.wordpress.com/.