What Does the Lord Require of You?

January 29, 2006

Introduction

 

            In Micah 6:8, we find these words, “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?”  This morning, we ask the question, “And what does the LORD require of you?”

 

            In our text, we have heard three things:  (1) to do justly, (2) to love mercy, (3) And to walk humbly with your God?”   Are 1 and 2 opposites?  What is “justly”?  Isn’t that justice?  What is mercy?  Isn’t that forgiveness?  How do we balance all of these?  How do they all fit together?  What did Jesus have to say about how we are to live?

 

Body

 

I.  “But to do justly.”

 

  1. It does involve being fair: not taking advantage of someone.

 

(James 5:4 NKJV)  Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

 

1.  It comes down to those who work for you.

2.  Does it come down to the tip you give your waitress?

 

  1. To do justly also involves punishment for those who do evil.

 

1.      We are not to avenge ourselves.

 

(Rom 12:19 NKJV)  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

 

2.      On the other hand, government is for the punishment of evil doers.

 

(Rom 13:1-4 NKJV)  Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. {2} Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. {3} For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. {4} For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

I.        “To love mercy,”

A.     How do we blend this with justice?

(Rom 12:17-21 NKJV)  Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. {18} If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. {19} Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. {20} Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." {21} Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

  1. Mercy is sympathy.

(Rom 12:15 NKJV)  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

  1. But it is more than kind words for those in need.

(James 2:15-17 NKJV)  If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, {16} and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? {17} Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

  1. But mercy is more.  It is an attitude toward others.

(James 2:12-13 NKJV)  So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. {13} For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

III.   And to walk humbly with your God?”

A.     To be in agreement with God.

(Amos 3:3 NKJV)  Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?

B.     We have to wait on God.

(Psa 27:14 NKJV)  Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

C.     Learn to fear the Lord.  (Instructions for kings.)

(Deu 17:18-20 NKJV)  "Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. {19} "And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, {20} "that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.

D.     Obviously, we are to obey Him if we are to walk with Him.

 

(1 Sam 15:22-23 NKJV)  Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. {23} For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king."

 

Conclusion

 

             “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?”  This morning, we ask the question, “And what does the LORD require of you?”  (Micah 6:8)

 

            As we “walk humbly with our God,” may we remember to read His word. 

§         Remember the requirement that the kind have a copy to read!

§         Remember to take time to pray.

§         Remember to be kind to others.

§         Remember to help others who are in need.

 

       Is your life right with God?  Are you walking with Him?

 

Scripture quotations marked "NKJV™" are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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