“…what does the LORD REQUIRE OF YOU But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)
- DO JUSTLY: mišpāṭ: assuring a right relationship with God. Our only hope of “right living” is “If you declare with your mouth, “JESUS IS LORD,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you WILL BE SAVED. For it is with your HEART that you believe and are justified, and it is with your MOUTH that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Rom. 10:9-10)
- LOVE MERCY: People who love mercy are not judgmental; they manifest compassion for others, especially for those who are less fortunate; they are gracious, kind, and honorable. These individuals treat everyone with love and understanding… “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1) “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16) This is being merciful!
- WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD: The “walk” metaphor is used often in Scripture to describe the overall direction one’s life is heading. The adverb “humbly” moves us away from arrogance and the egocentric need to always be better than others, to the simple ACCEPTANCE OF THE GIFTS THAT GOD HAS PLACED WITHIN US. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to SERVE OTHERS, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10) “HUMBLE YOURSELVES BEFORE THE LORD, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham