Job listings always include qualifications and expectations. Every job requires certain knowledge and skill sets. It's to be expected.
Anyone with even a basic understanding of the Bible also knows that God has expectations. It's obvious that He requires certain behavior and attitudes of His people. The problem is, they seem far too detailed, unwavering, and impossible to meet. How can fatally flawed people ever live up to the expectations of a holy God? Consider what an ancient prophet named Micah penned under inspiration:
"He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)
The "big three" that God expects fit squarely within "the big two" that Jesus explained:
" 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' "This is the great and foremost commandment. "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40)
Doing justice and loving kindness relate to loving for our neighbor as ourselves. Walking humbly with our God flows from wholehearted love for Him. And so, Micah's admonition aligns perfectly with the two greatest commandments.
Micah's "checklist" is not so much a duty to be performed as a witness to be shared. They demonstrate the qualities of the coming government of God; the kingdom of God. This age, characterized by perfect justice, genuine love, and kindness, can be glimpsed by the world through a manifestation of these qualities in the lives of His people today.
God's expectations are profoundly simple yet radically life-altering. They cannot be met except through a total transformation of mind and attitude. The sacrifice and active work of Jesus is the sole means of that essential transformation and renewal of mind (Romans 12:1-2). Personal resolve and strength are inadequate but, through surrender, "it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13).
Do justice. Practice fairness and equality in all your dealings with others. Love mercy. Develop a passion for assisting the underprivileged. Walk humbly with you God. "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4.6)
We live according to "the constitution of the kingdom of God" when we practice Micah's priorities. May other see the King and the kingdom in and through us as we practice these key qualities through the enabling of the Spirit of God.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
Anyone with even a basic understanding of the Bible also knows that God has expectations. It's obvious that He requires certain behavior and attitudes of His people. The problem is, they seem far too detailed, unwavering, and impossible to meet. How can fatally flawed people ever live up to the expectations of a holy God? Consider what an ancient prophet named Micah penned under inspiration:
"He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)
The "big three" that God expects fit squarely within "the big two" that Jesus explained:
" 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' "This is the great and foremost commandment. "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40)
Doing justice and loving kindness relate to loving for our neighbor as ourselves. Walking humbly with our God flows from wholehearted love for Him. And so, Micah's admonition aligns perfectly with the two greatest commandments.
Micah's "checklist" is not so much a duty to be performed as a witness to be shared. They demonstrate the qualities of the coming government of God; the kingdom of God. This age, characterized by perfect justice, genuine love, and kindness, can be glimpsed by the world through a manifestation of these qualities in the lives of His people today.
God's expectations are profoundly simple yet radically life-altering. They cannot be met except through a total transformation of mind and attitude. The sacrifice and active work of Jesus is the sole means of that essential transformation and renewal of mind (Romans 12:1-2). Personal resolve and strength are inadequate but, through surrender, "it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13).
Do justice. Practice fairness and equality in all your dealings with others. Love mercy. Develop a passion for assisting the underprivileged. Walk humbly with you God. "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4.6)
We live according to "the constitution of the kingdom of God" when we practice Micah's priorities. May other see the King and the kingdom in and through us as we practice these key qualities through the enabling of the Spirit of God.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 9:03 AM
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