Text:              Micah 6:8   

By:                 Joel Uto

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Micah 6:8: 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?

The name Micah and Michael strikes anyone, having the same meaning – Who Is Like God?

The message Micah prophesied to Israel is our concern in today’s exhortation.

Micah is one of the minor prophets but also has a powerful message to the chosen of God in his time.

He prophesied to Israel, the southern kingdom (Judah) in the days of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah.

A.     The summary of his message first to the leaders in Israel and Israel as a whole, was that they would go to exile if they do not stop committing sins. 

1. Israel’s attitude to sin then was that they keep sinning without sincerity of repentance. They were not just merciful and not humble to God.
2. With that message to them, when John the Baptist came preaching, they trooped to him and John had a message for them.
3. What then is the message of John? Luke 3:7-14: Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.

A.      The call for a change from their wrong attitude

B.     The consequences to befall the stubborn or unrepentant ones

4. Similarly, God requires from the Christian more than the Israelites.

a.     Obedience to His will. Ecclesiastes 12:13 – Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all. Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.                             (cf. John 15:10). Are you really obedient to God in all circumstances? 

b.    Faithfulness: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2: Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. (cf. Philippians 2:13). Do you actually trust for who and what He is in your life or you look outside?

c.   A separate life.

2 Corinthians 7:1 – Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.                        Philippians 1:27 – Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.                                      (cf. II Cor. 6:14-18).                          Do we still live like them? OR

d.   Righteous life.

Matthew 5:20 – For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Do you see a wrong as right and tend to follow? 

e.   Just and fair. Treat matters justly and fair in all circumstances. No bias in the Christian life.

f.   Holiness of life.

1 Peter 1:13-17 – Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”  And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear. 

Really no difference in your life as a Christian? 

g.      Prayerlessness:

Ephesians 6:18 – praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

Do you pray at all? 

h.     Humility:

I Peter 5:6 – Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

This is down to earth of bringing yourself down for the services of God and man.

Are you really humble with your position or possessions?

i.    Preaching

Mark 16:15-16 – And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Do you care about those without yet or wrongly in Christ by reaching out the gospel to them?

CONCLUSION

God requires more than these in order to be with Him. Let us all read the Scripture and practice it. John 5:39 – You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

Thank you and God bless!

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