Text: Micah 6:8
By: Bro. Marvis Kaine
Download Lesson
Many of God’s people know what God want them to be or do but they are disobedient. We will also agree that there are many of God’s people who do not know what to do hence this admonition to remind us of what God requires of us. God through His prophet Micah reminds Israel of His gracious acts on their behalf, how Balaak Sought to oppose them through pagan divination, sending for Balaam to put a curse on the Israelites; and how God saved them by causing Balaam to bless them instead of cursing them and how He led them across River Jordan to the promise land- (Josh. 3:1, Josh. 4:19).
God made it clear that sacrifice is of no value. He responded to the peoples question about what He requires from them – a way of life that values justice loving kindness and humility. Micah 6:8–
He has shown you, o man, what is good; and what does He requires of you but to do justly, to have mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
This verse begins with a reprimand. God has already told them what is good and also to us on a weekly basis when we gather to worship. They already knew what they are expected to do but still ask rather than deal with their personal lives. Christians today are known as God children and at such are required to live justly.
To live justly is to live and conduct oneself in accordance to moral or societal standards. In the New Testament, It denotes “righteous”. A state of being right or of right conduct judged whether by Divine standard or according to human standard of what is right. Christ in His teaching on the mountain declare that the just shall be filled Matthew 5:6–
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
As children of God, it is required of us to deal justly because the righteous live by faith- romans 1:17 and not by hearing the word of God only but the doers of the law- Romans 2:13. In 1 Peter 3:8 -14, Christians are told how to live justly-
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one for another. Love each other as brethren, be sympathetic, be courteous,9 not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing, knowing that ye are called thereto, that ye might inherit a blessing. 10 For, “He that would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.11 Let him eschew evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”13 And who is he that will harm you if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye. “And be not afraid of their terror; neither be troubled.”
This letter was written to Christians living in a pagan society where they are being attack, persecuted and even put to death for their faith. Peter through this letter was calling Christians to grow unto maturity in their way of life towards others. It was a call to right living.
God requires Christians to Love Mercy.
God is the Father of mercy. Christians must do it with cheerfulness. Mercy is the outward manifestation of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it. To feel sympathy with the misery of another “especially sympathy manifested in the act-which can either be of the active voice-to show pity or mercy on, to show mercy to as recorded in Matthew 9:27, 15:22, 17:15, Romans 9:15-16.
Passive voice, “to have pity or mercy shown to one, to obtain mercy.
This is one of the great Christian virtues and is powerful when displayed (Luke 10:37) it is required of God’s children to practice it with gladness, wholeheartedness and graciousness. We must realize that those who need mercy also usually want the person showing it to do so in such a way that they know the gesture is heartfelt. The word for cheerfulness (hilarotes) is connected with the word “hilarity” in English. It suggests not lighthearted foolishness when taking care of the need of others but affability and joyfulness as mercy is given in the name of the lord. See II Corinthians 9.
Christians are to feel and exhibit compassion towards one another Phil 2:1-2;
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy that ye be likeminded having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Love can be known only from the actions it prompt. The Christian love is not self-pleasing it seeks the welfare of all. Romans 15:2;
2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.
It is required of God’s people to love mercy that is, a disposition to be kind and forgiving. It is the quality of being warmhearted, and considerate, humane and sympathetic. God requires this of Christians because he is kind toward the unthankful and to the evil – Luke 6:35;
35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
Also forgiving one another- Ephesians 4:32–
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
To obtain mercy from God, Christians must be merciful to others Matthew 5:7 –
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. See also Acts 28:2, 1Corinthians 13:4.
Finally, God also requires his children to walk humbly with him. The word humble implies a state of submissiveness. God requires that Christians should walk humbly with Him. This signifies the Christians attitude towards Him. Children of God must depend on Him and not their abilities. This walking humbly with God is very important, for “it is a test of salvation”. The man that walks humbly with God is a saved man. The man who does not walk humbly with God should question his condition before God, for in proportion as he fails here he fails altogether. God must be recognized as ever present, appropriated as our God, and felt to be all powerful in all our life or else there can be no humble walking with Him. You must have the verb (walk) or there is no sense in the adverb (humble). You must walk before there is any sense in the exhortation to walk humbly. Christians are to live towards God in all that we do in a lowly, reverent spirit. Walking humbly with God will yield more grace to the believer James 4:6–
But he gives more grace. Therefore he says “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble”
In due time, if we walk humbly with him He will uplift us I Peter 5:6–
Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.
We all remember how Daniels prayers was answered because of his humility in Daniel 10:12. Beloved brethren walking humbling with God involves a profound deference to His will and a glad submission to it. If you walk humbly with God you will feel safe- Ezra 8:21, Psalm 69:32, 2 Chronicles 34:27.
CONCLUSION
Deuteronomy 10:12-13
May the good lord bless you richly as you do that which is required of you in Christ name amen!
Download Lesson
