God’s Values

Micah 6:1-8

The LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

PEOPLE WHO FIGHT AGAINST INJUSTICE, defend the oppressed, and advocate for the poor have at times been marginalized by evangelicals, who see such activities as part of the “social gospel” and not the main business of the church. Perhaps that’s because the social gospel movement often neglected the message of salvation and focused only on meeting physical needs. Yet if we’re completely honest in our reading of Scripture, we’ll recognize that the prophets emphasized justice and mercy far more often than some of the issues we focus on; that Jesus condemned the Pharisees as hypocrites for keeping the letter of the law while neglecting justice and mercy (Matthew 23:23); and that the Bible as a whole is extremely concerned with how we live in this world. It tells us that God is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18) and defends the poor (Psalm 140:12). When we do not have the same priorities, we are essentially refusing to be like him.

That’s a problem. We are made in God’s image, restored to his likeness, and called to reflect his nature and pursue his purposes. Somehow we’ve developed false divides in our culture that pit “conservative” against “liberal” and portray just causes as something “they” do. We sometimes determine our convictions not by whether they are right or wrong but by which groups hold them. We don’t want to be on the wrong side.

If demonstrating the fullness of the gospel puts you on the side of people you would not normally agree with politically or philosophically, so be it. Too many Christians have made such an effort to distance themselves from liberalism that they have also distanced themselves from real social concerns. The result is a church that appears as detached, uncaring, and focused on doctrine and behavior as the Pharisees that Jesus railed against. Refuse to fit into a category, and live the gospel as it was given. Express God’s heart. Show the world what his values really are.

{Lord, if I ever lose sight of your concerns for this world, send me to the prophets and the apostles for a reminder of the balance. Give me a passion for justice and a heart of compassion. I’m on your side alone. Amen.