He didn’t expect the response he received.
A rather snobbish minister attempted to educate a roomful of teens on the virtues of living a consistent Christian life. “Many members of the church tell me what a great example of walking with the Lord I am,” he said. A teen raised his hand in response and stated, “Maybe it’s because they don’t know you.”
The book of Micah condemns two major problems within the church: social injustice and religious hypocrisy. But God also gives the remedy.
Three requirements are necessary for living a life that pleases the Lord. First, we should act “justly.” This does not mean merely talking about justice but actively living a just life in relation to others. Second, we should “love mercy.” The term mercy comes from the Hebrew word, hesed, which means a faithful covenant love. A love that is predictable toward others and does not change based upon circumstances. Finally, we should “walk humbly” with our God. To walk means to live life in a deliberate way … to be careful.
God wants us to carefully live the life He prescribes for us in his Word, which involves examining our lives through the lens of Scripture. We will live justly toward others, love others mercifully, and walk carefully. Don’t be like the pompous minster who thought others saw him as excelling in the Christian life. Let what others see be who you really are.
Ask God to help you act justly in your relationships with others, love others mercifully as God loves you, and live life carefully.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Radice W. Banks is a professor at Hesed Bible Institute in Simpsonville, SC. He has been married to his wife for twenty-six years. They have two sons, Micah and Caleb. He loves reading the Bible and running. Banks is also a faculty member at Urban Divinity School in Greenville SC.