In a complicated world, simplicity stands out. Micah 6:8 is one of those verses that brings clarity to our world.
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
We often wonder what the Lord requires of us. We debate complicated theology and complex life plans, but God spells it out in nine words
To act justly. To love mercy. To walk humbly.
To act justly
To act justly means to treat people fairly, equally, impartially, and honestly. It means pulling our weight in the work place. Going beyond what is expected of us. Looking for ways to bless and serve our coworkers and employers. It means paying our bills on time, before we spend our money on non-essential purchases.
It means never pilfering – not a stamp, an envelope, or our employer’s time. If we’re on the clock, we should be working. The Golden Rule sums up what it looks like to act justly.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,” (Mat. 7:12).
To love mercy
Mercy has its basis in Christ’s work on the cross. Although we deserve to spend eternity separated from God in a place called hell, God extends mercy to us. He sacrificed his Son, Jesus, on a cruel Roman cross to make a way for us to live with him forever in Heaven.
What undeserved favor. What grace. What mercy.
Because God extended the greatest act of mercy toward us – giving us what we didn’t deserve and could never earn – we, too, can freely extend mercy to others. We respond kindly to obnoxious and rude people. We leave a generous tip despite poor service. (Don’t worry about reinforcing a bad work ethic. There will be plenty of other customers who will point it out. Be different and extend mercy.) We look for ways to demonstrate kindness and respect to the most difficult among us. Mercy is compassionate, and tenderhearted.
To walk humbly
James 4:6 tells us God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Can you think of a more frightening thing than having the God of the universe oppose us?
And who doesn’t need more grace?
God promises his unmerited favor – grace – when we walk humbly before him. Walking humbly with God doesn’t mean thinking poorly of ourselves. It means not thinking of ourselves at all. A humble life is other-focused. It serves, gives, and builds others up.
Instead of responding defensively to a rebuke, correction, or criticism, humble people listen. They look for truth and make necessary changes, regardless of how the correction was delivered. The humble never forget where they came from. They remember their spiritual beginnings and respond with patience and grace to others’ youth, immaturity, or blind spots.
Instead of pridefully holding on to bitterness and anger when others wrong them, they forgive. They know God has forgiven a great sin-debt on their behalf. To fully embrace their freedom in Christ, they forgive as he forgave.
To act justly. To love mercy. To walk humbly with your God. Three simple instructions for a complicated world. Consider for a moment how different our lives would be if we kept these three in mind.
Now it’s your turn. Can you think of an example of someone who has acted justly, loved mercy, or walked humbly? I’d love to hear your story. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts.
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If only we would apply these words to our lives; oh, what a world this could be. I understand how far too few do this, but what a difference it could make Ms. Lori. And while many of us try to model these words, I for one find myself falling short of these righteous standards far more than I should. As I thought about your question at the end of your post, there were two persons who stood out in my mind. My adoptive parents. Mom and Dad lived their lives (at least for the over 30 years I knew mom and 50 years I had dad) using these nine words. Being just, merciful, and humble were traits they taught their children through the way they lived their lives. I look back upon our lives now, and the examples they set are much more precious now, as it seems they are less common than before.