What Does God Require in 2013?
Micah 6:1-8
Introduction
– Micah 6:8 contains three “New Year’s Resolutions” that summarize the kind of community and the kind of citizens God wants us to be here in the city of Welland:
1) “Do justice”
2) “Love kindness”
3) “Walk humbly with God”
Resolution #1: “Do Justice”
1. We are called to reflect justice to the world around us because the God we serve is completely just and righteous!
2. The three commands in 6:8 are not the basis of our salvation
- They are given to people who are already in a covenant relationship with God (v. 4)
- We are justified by grace alone through faith alone, but the faith that truly justifies is never alone – it is always accompanied by evidence!
3. Evangelicals have not always emphasized justice as much as we should!
- Orthodoxy (believing the right things) and Orthopraxy (living the right way) must always stand together
- The people in Judah wrongly assumed that the external formalities of worship were sufficient to please God
4. A commitment to “do justice” affects all of our relationships
- It is an essential part of our witness to the community
- It requires us to be on duty as Christ’s disciples 24/7
- It summarizes the second half of the Ten Commandments
- It compels us to pay attention and to take action!
Resolution #2: “Love Kindness”
1. The word translated “kindness” or “mercy” is the Hebrew word “hesed” which is used to describe the character of God
- Refers to God’s mercy in not treating our sins as they deserve
- Refers to God’s kindness in providing a way of salvation
- Refers to God’s loyalty in keeping His covenant
2. God wants us to reflect His “hesed” to people around us!
- Kindness and mercy within our families
- Forgiving others as Christ forgave us
- Loving one another within the family of God
Resolution #3: “Walk Humbly with God”
1. The first two commands summarize the second half of the Ten Commandments – “Love your neighbour as yourself”
2. The third command summarizes the first half of the Ten Commandments – “Love God with all your strength”
3. The quality of our relationship with God undergirds the previous two ‘resolutions’
- To ‘walk’ with God implies ongoing, moment by moment relationship with Him
- To walk ‘humbly’ implies full reliance on Him for all of the resources we need
- God’s Word
- Prayer
- Regular Fellowship with God’s People
No Response to “What Does God Require in 2013? – Micah 6:1-8”