Did you know that God never conceals His expectations from us? We never have to guess how we should live. In response to the misguided ways people sought to please God, the prophet Micah very clearly explained what God does and does not expect. The people asked: should we come to God with many offerings? Should we bring a thousand rams and ten thousand rivers of oil? Would God be pleased if we gave our firstborn child to Him to express our devotion? Let me tell you what Micah's response was because it was pretty straightforward:
"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8
Let's look, Micah listed three things God desires from us. First, He wants us to show justice. The desire to receive justice is not enough. We must also be absolutely just in the way we treat others. If we have given our word, we should keep it with complete integrity. If we have people working for us, we should treat them as fairly as Jesus would treat us. We should act justly in every relationship.
Secondly, we are to love mercy. The knowledge that we have received undeserved mercy from God should motivate us to show mercy to others. We must resist the temptation to retaliate against those who have wronged us, choosing to show them mercy instead.
And, finally, God requires us to walk humbly with Him. God does not ask us for spectacular acts of service--He asks us for humility! I think at times we try to make the Christian life far more complicated than it really is. We may hide behind questions about the Bible or uncertainty about the second coming of Christ. We can allow ourselves to become distracted in order to avoid confronting what God has clearly told us to do today. I believe that if we strive to b completely obedient in the basics, the more complex assignments will become clear. What about you? What do you believe? Justice, mercy, and humility, or our way?
May God richly bless you today!! H Trent!
"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8
Let's look, Micah listed three things God desires from us. First, He wants us to show justice. The desire to receive justice is not enough. We must also be absolutely just in the way we treat others. If we have given our word, we should keep it with complete integrity. If we have people working for us, we should treat them as fairly as Jesus would treat us. We should act justly in every relationship.
Secondly, we are to love mercy. The knowledge that we have received undeserved mercy from God should motivate us to show mercy to others. We must resist the temptation to retaliate against those who have wronged us, choosing to show them mercy instead.
And, finally, God requires us to walk humbly with Him. God does not ask us for spectacular acts of service--He asks us for humility! I think at times we try to make the Christian life far more complicated than it really is. We may hide behind questions about the Bible or uncertainty about the second coming of Christ. We can allow ourselves to become distracted in order to avoid confronting what God has clearly told us to do today. I believe that if we strive to b completely obedient in the basics, the more complex assignments will become clear. What about you? What do you believe? Justice, mercy, and humility, or our way?
May God richly bless you today!! H Trent!
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