“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 (NKJV)
We don’t need to wonder how to live the Christian life. If we have committed our way to the Lord and trust in Jesus for salvation, we have a guidebook that points the way to righteousness and the process of sanctification. The verse cited here from the Prophet Micah who preached and prophesied in Israel beginning about 735 BC is relevant for today. He had a three-point sermon in this one verse: Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. In any age, from as long ago as 735 BC to 2010 CE, this is a good summary of how to live.
What is doing justly? We think of this in legal terms, or seeing that fair, equitable, impartial and reasonable action is taken on behalf of all peoples. This, of course is the ideal, an aim for an Utopian Society. We hardly ever achieve it in the real life of day to day dealings. Someone is bound, it seems, to get the upper hand, to take advantage of others. But as a Christian, I can exercise justice, be decent, honorable, virtuous and straightforward in my dealings with all people. There is no sham or partiality when justice is exercised.
Love mercy. That seems quite a step up the ladder, even, from doing justly, and it is. Mercy is unmerited favor. In justice, we may deserve the verdict. But when mercy is exercised, we are forgiven our penalties, and propitiation for our wrongs is taken by another. When Christians practice mercy. even within an iota degree of what God exercises for us, we have compassion, forgiveness and graciousness in our hearts for others, regardless of their circumstances or condition. Mercy always wears the clothing of gentleness, tenderness and kindness.
Walk humbly with God. Humility is not an easy characteristic to attain. Each of us has a selfish center, an attitude wrapped around the big “I”. But to walk humbly with God, we are meek and lowly in heart, not self-serving, not greedy, pretentious or arrogant. All credit goes to God who made us in His image, remade us from our fallen state, and directs us toward heights only He can reach.
Prayer: To do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God should be a daily three-fold aim for each Christian. Today, Lord, help me begin these steps to goodness and righteousness. This is Your good will for me. This is the way You want me to go.
c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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