Living Justice Walking Mercy

My heart screams in pain as I read of yet another pastor being ripped apart by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). The spirit of God is not vengeance or fear. The spirit of God is love, truth and mercy. You can debate the meaning of truth as philosophers have done throughout the ages. Love is a word pondered by all though clearly defined in our New Testament Scriptures (and nothing resembles what the church is doing to the homosexual community). Mercy however is clear. In my memory, Jesus lived mercy and there was no need to give a definition of mercy.

I can hear the arguments now about abomination. Is it not an abomination to tear apart another's soul? Those well read in scripture would know that the only "unforgivable" sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. When a gay or lesbian (or anyone outside of "normal") speaks of the love of God, lives mercifully and justfully, loves God and neighbor but then is ripped from a church or congregation as unworthy, is this not blasphemy? Who controls the Holy Spirit, the church, the baptized churchgoer or GOD?

The travesty doesn't end with the gay and lesbian community for there is always the news of Jimmy Creech (former United Methodist pastor), and others who are ripped from a way of faithful living because they stepped outside of church-goers' familiarity and challenged each of us to love and mercy. These actions must stop. Each of us must stop speaking and acting in manners which distance anyone from God.
Yes, there are heretics in the world but when you look in history those same heretics later were recognized as saints. Can you tell a difference? Do you have the mind of God or the eye of God or the heart of God? Of course not and neither do I.

There is only one God and no one human can contain the whole of God. Through the Holy Spirit we can however live this human life and live in a godly and merciful manner. This is shown to us through the life of Jesus, the one who is BOTH human and God. We were promised that this life is a way we can live by following a life of love and mercy.

Micah 6:8
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

Learn more about this author, J. Robin Whitley.
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