What God Requires
There are 8.3 billion people on earth and today’s focus is on unity. The first Sunday in October is Worldwide Communion Sunday and about two billion people gather to celebrate Christ’s love as believers. Read 1 Peter 3:8-11 and Micah 6:6-8 to hear about our responsibility regarding our attitude, how to manage conflict, and the importance of pursuing peace as we strive to be one in the Lord.
Maybe like me, you grew up hearing that we live in a melting pot. It was not long before I disagreed. Having a part-time job making chocolates, I learned that if you mix milk, dark, white, and colored chocolates together you get one unpleasant color. Friends, we live in a salad bowl, adding zest and texture and complimenting each other. We are created in the image of God each different and instrumental while one in Christ.
Peter tells us to value the importance of living harmoniously. Whether in our homes, offices, public places, social media, the news, or even in places of worship we have witnessed discord. How can that be when Christians make up more than 30% of our world? Simple, we need to be of one accord. Peter is impressing the importance of a right attitude about relationships, beginning with that right peace we know from a relationship with Jesus. As Christ followers our role is to encourage one another and support each other with right and loving words. That means looking at situations by putting ourselves in the shoes of others. Church, compassion will move us into action and that action will bring us harmony. This means that even when the other person is not, we need to be kind and take the high road, swallowing our pride. Friends, our actions reflect our faith, when we find ourselves gossiping and stereotyping, when retaliation or justification are our response, we are acting contrary to a life in Christ. Let us work toward responding to mistreatment with a blessing instead of revenge. Yes, this is hard to do, but nothing is impossible with God. Maybe we need to ask ourselves, are we being the barrier? If “I can’t” is our response, we are not putting our faith in our God who parted the Red Sea, changed water to wine, and rose on the third day. Jesus said in John (14:15 says), “If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” the point is this, loving Jesus translates to holding ourselves accountable to living like Him.” Let us be willing to work for that challenge with God.
God does not want a series of religious acts; God wants our heart! Micah is giving us our marching orders…have the right attitude. This is not aspirational, this is scriptural, we should never miss the opportunity to do right, to show mercy, and faithfully follow the Lord in humility.
Being just comes from the heart, our hearts are impure and therefore we must work to keep our hearts in check. Acting just means not showing favoritism, acting honorably, being impartial, obeying the laws, respecting authority, and doing the right thing - especially when no one is watching.
We have a sinful, selfish nature and as we plead guilty our judgment is satisfied. Mercy costs…sometimes our time, sometimes our comfort, sometimes our pride. Mercy is forgiveness extended to one not deserving. Forgiving is hard. Mercy is taking responsibility, looking in the mirror, and opening our hearts which can leave us vulnerable. Mercy is withholding punishment, choosing not to retaliate, and opting not to be offended. Extending mercy is giving with no expectation for a return. Loving mercy is repairing a breach. Offering mercy brings joy to others and ourselves. Christians are recipients of God’s undeserved kindness and have a responsibility to pass it on!
It is only in our humility that acting just and loving mercy can happen. As we ponder God’s amazing grace and grasp the tender and kind love of our good God, we can join in God’s work and follow Jesus – a crucial point in today’s message.
I often see part of Micah 6:8 etched on posters, t-shirts and alike, reading “Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly” but what is often missing is with God. What I have come to learn is this trifold requirement is cyclical. As we become more aware of God’s mercy, we are humbled which is the impetus to just actions all spurred on because we are walking with God. In all we do, let it be with God and according to His will.
I encourage you to read the Parable of the Mexico Fisherman by Heinrich Böll. Church, you see, the Mexican fisherman had “it all” and enjoyed it for many years. Consumed with a relationship with money, greed and power, the American businessman’s perspective was clouded. I ask each of us today is, what is clouding our perspective? We know what is expected of us. Will you join me in your daily prayers asking God for help in uniting in Christ by responding with kindness, treating people fairly, turning from wrongdoings, pursuing peace with our neighbors, and taking God seriously? And all God’s people say, amen!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Kerry
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