Living in the Spirit June 4, 2015

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—‘I believed, and so I spoke’—we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. –2 Corinthians 4:13-15

Are we speaking out for what we believe or are we holding our tongues in the name of shalom? It is not an easy question. We are called to shalom; we are called to do justice. How do we do justice in the spirit of shalom? It is my understanding that the word shalom, translated into English often as peace, has a richer meaning of wellbeing for all. Isn’t that what justice is also? Why then does working toward justice often lead to discord?

The need to work toward justice means some injustice exists, and injustice is insidious. The Hebrew bible talks about the sins of ancestors being passed forward to the third or fourth generation. (Numbers 14:18) Both of my great-grandfathers fought in the Civil War. One fought for the North, one for the South. The one on the South owned house slaves. We are not accountable for our ancestors’ sins, but we do bear the consequences of them. My mother, the granddaughter of the Confederate, served as a community developer for the Methodist church in the Appalachians during the depression working with both black and white communities, segregated, of course, at that time. The consequences of others in the cadre of Civil War descendant carry the animosity of their ancestors to this day. It is a choice. God calls us to choose justice.

My Confederate great-grandfather was a dedicated Christian. He believed he was doing the right thing. We are no doubt doing things today our descendants will be cleaning up for generations to come. Part of doing justice is considering the long-term consequences of our own attitudes and actions. Part of doing justice is seeking wholeness by carefully laying before God those things that drive us today and letting God love away the residue in our beings that denies justice to ourselves and others.

Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

Amen All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.