By Will Nordmark, Spiritual Reflections 

Micah 6:8 reads in the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible translation, “and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?”

When all is said and done, what is the most important thing in life? From a Christian perspective it is our relationship with God. From my Lutheran Christian perspective that implies faith. Does God require me to “do” anything? That is the wrong question, but we ask it all of the time. Jesus died on the cross for you and me. Whether someone believes that or not is irrelevant. Jesus died for all people – no matter nationality, color or gender. We accept that in faith.

How we respond to Jesus’ death and resurrection, beyond just having faith, is what sets apart the disciple from the “I believe in Jesus and all is right with the world” kind of Christian. Paul, in Ephesians 2, tells us that we have been created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Both the Old Testament prophets (like Micah) and Jesus all point us to having a relationship with God means we care and even love our neighbor.

Looking at Micah’s words:

Justice implies fairness and no discrimination in our dealings with others;

Kindness is a form of compassion and love;

And to walk humbly with God, implies that we understand that God is God and we are not.

As Christians we understand that we sin and fall short of what God wants for us – that is where grace and forgiveness come in. Being a Christian disciple isn’t just about faith and it isn’t just about doing the right or just thing. Rather, it is about loving our neighbor in our imperfect ways and loving God and having faith in God our creator and redeemer. Being a Christian is the easiest thing and the hardest thing all at the same time. But if we rely on the grace of God in Christ Jesus, God takes care of the paradox and contradictions.

(Will Nordmark is pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Burnsville and is one of several area pastors who contribute to Spiritual Reflections. This column is one of several opinion and commentary pieces appearing regularly in this newspaper.)