What Does He Require?

Micah 6:8 "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 walk humbly with you God." Micah chapter six is God's rebuke of His people who have neglected Him to the point of ignorance. In this verse it seems as if God is saying through Micah, "Is that really too much to ask for all I have done, to act like a decent person and pursue a relationship with Me?"

When I look at most of the minor prophet books in God's Word; I sometimes wonder why they are there. They are full of God's anger with His people and disappointment. But they also have a gleam of redemption. "What good is this doing me?" We live in the twenty-first century and the price has been paid for my mistakes, certainly we are not in danger of such wrath, or are we.

As I have stated in a previous message; "accepting His existence is not enough, even the demons believe in Him and know what he did, but that does not save them." (Doing.) The gist of it is Micah 6:8 and all the other books in the Old Testament are just as inspired and is as much God's Word as the New Testament, the two must be read and understood together because the two together complete God's Holy Word. I often find the old testament telling us of standard guidelines towards righteousness as well as learning about people, how they operate, and how people back then messed up just like we do today and God still uses them. There is an outline in Micah 6:8 which should still be used as an evaluation of ones walk with the God.

There are three things mentioned in this passage as an evaluation of what God may expect: Two types of spiritual fruit, inward and outward fruit, and a desire to walk with Him along life's journey.

"To act Justly," is the first of the requirements put on His people. This is the outward fruit. It is something which requires a deed or temperament adjustment. It is holding the door for someone or being a friend to one in need. It is to be salt, a light, or a city on a hill which cannot be hidden. God wants us to "represent" as some may put it. God wants us to be a reflection of Him and this definitely includes in our daily actions. It is something we all could work on and should labor towards.


"To love Mercy," Follows. Mercy is an attribute of God, and loving mercy is an inward fruit. I do not think if we just love this one attribute of our Father that it is what he really wants. I think He is saying we should love Him. However; there is a dual purpose here too. To love mercy also represents a change of heart. Loving mercy is to show mercy and enjoy doing it. It is realizing what mercy has already been shown you and reflecting it in our own lives.

Lastly is "to walk humbly with your God." God so desires a relationship with you, not just an acquainted type relationship but an intimate relationship. God wants to be in every step you make, he wants to be a major catalyst in your life... so much to the point He is jealous over the stupid things we sometimes place before Him. This relationship is the kicker, not having this relationship means eternal separation from Him. Matthew Chapter 7 21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" Those words "I never knew you," are to be taken to heart. Do not fall in love with deeds or religion, fall in love with Jesus and have real relationship.

Now take the time to evaluate yourself, if you so feel led o read my message Doing again. God just wants to know you and out of a real, intimate, relationship will come all sorts of fruit. God bless you, and keep living for Him.