Introduction

Human trafficking is a global crime that affects millions of people every year. It is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. According to the International Labour Organization, there are an estimated 40.3 million victims of human trafficking worldwide, of which 71% are women and girls and 25% are children. Human trafficking generates about $150 billion in illegal profits annually, making it one of the most lucrative criminal industries in the world.

Human Trafficking Awareness Month is observed every January in the United States and other countries, to raise awareness and mobilize action against this heinous crime. The month was first declared by President Barack Obama in 2010, and since then, various events, campaigns, and initiatives have been organized to educate the public, support the survivors, and prevent the exploitation.

As Christians, we have a moral duty and a spiritual calling to care about human trafficking and to do something about it. In this blog post, we will show you why human trafficking matters to Christians and what we can do to prevent it and support the survivors.

Human trafficking is not only a crime against humanity, but also a violation against God’s original design. It violates the biblical principles of human dignity, justice, and love, which are the foundation of our faith and our relationship with God and others.

Human dignity

Every human being is created in the image of God and has inherent worth and value ( Genesis 1:27 ). God loves us and knows us by name, and he has a plan and a purpose for each of us ( Jeremiah 29:11 ). Human trafficking degrades and dehumanizes the victims, treating them as commodities rather than as persons. It strips them of their identity, dignity, and freedom, and subjects them to physical, psychological, and emotional abuse. It denies them the opportunity to fulfill their God-given potential and to enjoy the abundant life that Jesus came to give us ( John 10:10 ).

Justice

God is a God of justice, who defends the cause of the oppressed and the marginalized ( Psalm 146:7-9 ). He hates injustice and oppression, and he commands us to do the same ( Isaiah 1:17 ). He will judge the wicked and vindicate the righteous, and he will bring an end to all evil and suffering ( Revelation 21:4 ). Human trafficking is an injustice that exploits the vulnerable and the powerless, often due to factors such as poverty, discrimination, and violence. It creates and perpetuates inequality and injustice in the world, and it undermines the rule of law and the common good. It dishonors God and his creation, and it grieves his heart.

God Is Love

God is a God of love, who commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves ( Matthew 22:39 ). He demonstrated his love for us by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and to reconcile us to himself ( John 3:16 ). He also calls us to love one another as he has loved us, and to lay down our lives for our friends ( John 13:34-35 ; John 15:13 ). Human trafficking is a sin that harms our neighbor, violating the second greatest commandment. It breaks the bond of love and trust that God intended for human relationships, and it causes pain and suffering to the victims and their families. It also harms the traffickers and the consumers, who are enslaved by their greed and lust, and who need the grace and forgiveness of God.

Human trafficking not only matters to God, but also to his Son, Jesus Christ, and his followers, the Church. Jesus came to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, and release for the oppressed ( Luke 4:18-19 ). He identified himself with the least of these, saying that whatever we do for them, we do for him ( Matthew 25:31-46 ). He gave his life as a ransom for many, setting us free from the bondage of sin and death ( Mark 10:45 ).

As followers of Christ, we are called to imitate his example and to join his mission. We are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, influencing and transforming the culture around us ( Matthew 5:13-16 ). We are to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, which includes doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with him ( Matthew 6:33 ; Micah 6:8 ). We are to be his witnesses, his ambassadors, and his co-workers, spreading his gospel, his love, and his peace to the ends of the earth ( Acts 1:8 ; 2 Corinthians 5:20 ; 1 Corinthians 3:9 ).

Human trafficking is a serious problem that affects millions of people around the world. It is a crime against humanity and a sin against God. It matters to Christians because it matters to God, to Christ, and to his Church. As Christians, we have a responsibility and an opportunity to prevent human trafficking and to support the survivors. Here are some practical suggestions on how to get involved in the fight against human trafficking:

• Educate yourself and others on the indicators and causes of human trafficking, and report any suspicious activity to the authorities or the National Human Trafficking Hotline. You can also learn more about human trafficking from reliable sources, such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the U.S. Department of State, and the Polaris Project.

• Support and partner with organizations that work to prevent human trafficking, rescue and restore the victims, and prosecute the perpetrators, such as Breakthrough the Nation. You can donate, volunteer, advocate, or pray for their work and their beneficiaries.

• Pray for the end of human trafficking, for the healing and empowerment of the survivors, and for the repentance and conversion of the traffickers. You can join or start a prayer group, or use a prayer guide, such as the one provided by the Salvation Army.

• Advocate for policies and laws that protect the rights and dignity of the victims, and that hold the traffickers and the consumers accountable. You can contact your representatives, sign petitions, join campaigns, or write letters to the media or the government.

Human Trafficking Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness and mobilize action against this heinous crime. But it is not enough to care about human trafficking only in January. We need to care about it every day, every month, every year, until it is eradicated from the face of the earth. We need to care about it because God cares about it, and because he calls us to care about it. We need to care about it because it matters. It matters to God, to Christ, to his Church, and to his world.