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"Requirements Of God" 3/25/01 Past/Future Articles |
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"Requirements Of God" 3/25/01 Past/Future Articles |
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In Micah 6:8 we find one of the great texts of the Old Testament. The prophet said, ". . . what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy (kindness, ASV) and to walk humbly with thy God?"
First, all men must do justly. Worship alone is not sufficient for God's people. God requires just living. The word "just" here, in this text, means "to act with moral responsibility." Micah 2:1 shows God's attitude towards injustice. Note these words, "woe unto them that devise iniquity and work evil upon their beds! When the morning is light, they practice it because it is in the power of their hand."
Misuse of power is one of the great tragedies of all time! Let those in authority know they will answer to a highter authority someday! For "we must all be made manifest before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body . . . !" II Corinthians 5:10.
Secondly, God requires loving kindness. Loving kindness means, "to show mercy and compassion." In Luke 10, Jesus relates the parable of the good Samaritan. This man finds a man beaten, robbed, and half-dead. Then Luke 10:33 says, "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him he was moved with compassion (loving kindness). Remember James 2:13, "For judgment is without mercy to him that showed no mercy!"
Finally, God wants us to walk humbly with him. The word "humbly" means, "to bow low, to act as a little child." Amos 3:3 says, "Can two walk together except they be agreed?"
Unless your life is in harmony with God's laws you cannot walk in a humble manner with God! We need more men like Enoch. In Genesis 5:24 the Bible says, "Enoch walked with God . . . " (John Stacy) In Genesis 6:22 we read, "Thus did Noah according to all that God commanded him, so did he."
Thus, to walk with God means to agree, heed, and obey that which He has spoken in His word.
Bob Craig, Elder