What does the Lord require of you?

"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 6:6-8

What does the Lord require of us? If the above verse is true then it is quite obvious. Why then do we have such a tough time “understanding” God’s will? Could it be “our” interpretation of what we feel is just….what we think is mercy and our impression of humility? Could it be that we think we know, but in reality we don’t?

God loves people! There is one thing you can bank on, God loves people. We are His creation and He made us in His image. I am not sure how God’s heart breaks (using human terminology), but I am quite convinced that we break God’s heart when He sees His creation in rebellion, in sin, in all kinds of muck and mire He never intended for us to be in...especially those He has redeemed! We are like pigs in slop, thinking we are enjoying ourselves, thinking “this is the life”. All the while we are living ….like pigs! The Lord wants to lift us out of that mess and into a life fit for royalty. He came to rescue us…to redeem us. He wants to commune and fellowship with us.

Jesus said that He came to give life and give it more abundantly. He absolutely was talking about eternal life. But He has an abundant life for us to live here and now as well. If we are His children, then we are royalty….we are part of a royal priesthood and our lives should reflect that. All of us are all at different stages and situations in life. We all have different experiences and varying circumstances. Regardless of “our lot in life”, even if we are the poorest of the poor or the richest of the rich, we can choose to live a life that is abundant...a life pleasing to the Lord. Not one bogged down by rules and regulations, but one that has freedom. There is liberty and freedom in Christ! When we are in Christ, we have that option!!!! There is joy in the journey if we allow it to be so. That is what the Lord wants, why don't we?

We are going through the book of Philippians in our connection group. It is sometimes referred to as a book of joy because of the things the Apostle Paul wrote under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The amazing thing is that he wrote this letter while in prison. If you can find “joy” in prison, you can find it anywhere. He said in Philippians 4:4, " Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice" And so I will!

So what does the Lord require of ME?

• To be joyful in every and all circumstances
• To live a life where “justice” guides my every thought and action
• To live a life where the “right thing” is the only option I will even consider
• To live a life that is an example for others to see….a life that displays honesty and integrity
• To show compassion and empathy for those around me and for those around the world
• To put into action the steps that are necessary to help people that are hurting
• To demonstrate the love of God by accepting people unconditionally and loving them just as unconditionally
• To see other people as He see them….lost sheep without a shepherd
• To know that people (all people, non-Christians, et al) are NOT the enemy!!!! They are being deceived by the enemy and being held in bondage by him….just as those of us that are His all were at one time or another
• To come before my Heavenly Father every day, and even moment by moment and recognize and acknowledge His Lordship in my life
• To ask forgiveness and accept His forgiveness every time I sin…knowing He desires that I come to Him
• To know and understand that I can do NOTHING without Him and without His strength

So let me put my name in that verse:
"He has shown you, Sean, 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 6:6-8

I know what to do…He has shown me and told me. Now as the Nike commercial says, "Just do it!"

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ... James 1:22