The Divide.

Micah 6:8 says "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."

Most of us already know that subconsciously there are two kinds of people in the church. Those who take Biblical mandates seriously and those who take them lightly. Sometimes the difference is really clear to us. For example, the difference between one who gives money to charity so they can feel like they are helping out and then those who give money and also do the work of helping. There is also an approach to reading the Bible to let you know more clearly where the divide is. On both sides of the divide there will be people who can quote scripture to you, but what they use the scripture for can tell you a lot. Sometimes it is used to judge people and to name others as sinners but sometimes it is used to love the children of God and to push us further towards the realization of Heaven on Earth. That's where you find the dividing line. 

Well, what does the Lord require of you? To do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God. These things are required. Not requested. Many people would choose this simple verse in Micah to summarize the teachings of Jesus. But if you watch the lives of many Christians, many do not consider this verse as a requirement but rather a request. 

With each generation, it becomes harder for some to identify with their heritage. Some of it has to do with culture or a difficult time understanding it clearly. Many white Americans seem to be filling in the gap of our lack of a sense of heritage with Christianity. It's like a silent claiming of heritage of Christianity. Christianity has a lot of non practicing Christians who still observe certain rituals for the sake of remembering their heritage and passing it on. But what non practicing Christians do not realize is that they are passing on the heritage and not so much the faith. 

Look at church on Sunday morning. We all assume each other is there for the same reason that we are. But one group is there to maintain Christian heritage and another to pursue Biblical mandates. Because of this, we find ourselves at impasses that won't reach a lasting resolution. These two understandings of what it means to be Christian are not compatible. They define the dividing line where a lot of churches find themselves splitting. 

God requires us to be about seeking justice and practicing kindness and love. And doing so in a humble way, not feeling privileged because of it. Followers of the teachings of Jesus will not settle on ritual repetition for the sake of Jesus, because Jesus didn't either. The church as the body of Christ should never become a cultural heritage club, because when we do we displace the brotherhood and sisterhood of humanity. This is simply not the way of Christ. As we look to expand and grow the body of Christ, we should be asking ourselves "what does the Lord require of us?" God requires that we do justice, even when it's not easy. Love mercy, even when you don't like someone. And walk humbly, always remembering that God walks every step with us. 

Will it bridge the gap of the divide? Probably not. But if we can recognize what is required of us and not requested, we might find that God's love peace and hope will continue to grow in all of our churches,

Courtney