June 25

Micah 1:5 All this is because of Jacob's transgression, because of the sins of the house of Israel.
What is Jacob's transgression? Is it not Samaria? What is Judah's high place? Is it not Jerusalem?

There are three types of people in the world: Pagan people, Religious people, and Fully Devoted Followers of Jesus.

Micah nails the religious people of his day. It was obvious that the religion of the northern kingdom was idolatrous with its worship of the golden calves at Bethel. But what is surprising, was his condemnation of Judah’s religious people. The use of the two words “high place” is a label for idolatrous worship. What is shocking in Micah’s words is that the very city of Jerusalem had become a “high place.” It is so easy for us to move from the spiritual worship of Jesus to the forms of religion, going to temple, reading the Torah, saying rote prayers and acting religious.

The great danger of the human heart is that rather than focus on a growing personal relationship with the living God, we often fasten ourselves to the externals of worship. Our hearts then substitute the external for the internal, and when we do this, then we have created a “high place” in our own hearts. It is amazing to see what people attach to as “high places” in their hearts, and don’t even realize they have done it.

Terry Fullam tells the story of a small town church in upstate New York. They had a pastor who served for thirty five years and he was loved by the church and the community. After he retired, he was replaced by a young pastor. It was his first church and he had a great desire to do well. He had been at the church several weeks when he began to perceive that the people were upset at him. He was troubled and eventually called aside one of the lay leaders. He asked him about the disconnection and the man confirmed his suspicions.
The man said, “I hate to say it, but it’s the way you do the Communion service.”
“The way I do the Communion service? What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s not so much what you do as what you leave out.”
“I don’t leave out anything from the Communion service.”
“Oh yes, you do. Just before our previous pastor administered the cup to the people, he’s always do over and touch the radiator, and then, he would – “
“Touch the radiator? I never heard of that liturgical tradition.”
So the younger man called the former pastor. He said, “I haven’t been here a month, and I’m in trouble.”
“In trouble? Why?”
“Well, it’s something to do with touching the radiator. Could that be possible? Did you do that?”
“Oh yes, I did. Always before I administered the cup to the people, I touched the radiator to discharge the static electricity so I wouldn’t shock them.”
For over thirty five years, the untutored people of his congregation had thought that was a part of the holy tradition. Now the church has gained the nick name, “The Church of the Holy Radiator.”

That is a ludicrous example, but it is amazing how many times we mix up the external with the internal. And, when the traditions of men conflicts with the Word of God many times the traditions win the battle. Beware of making “Jerusalem” or any other religious tradition your God.

Today is accountability day. Send me a quick email and let me know where you are on the journey, we are almost at the half way point.