" What Does God Require of Us? "
"He has shown you, O man, what [is] good. And what does the LORD
require of you but to do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly
with your God?" (Mic6:8)
As this is being written (August), not long ago while our evil
president eulogized two slain security officers in the capitol rotunda,
he perverted this verse into "O man, this is the good life..." This,
from one whose presidency has characteristically been "presidential" as
he enjoys all the official perks. He has enjoyed "the good life."
While the president went on to make his misapplications, Scripture
is saying something different here. Something which an evil person like
Mr. Clinton does not understand. Jesus summarized it best, "Offspring of
vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the
abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Mt12:34) While evil men
retort, "Leave me alone to my Private life" God has a standard of "Good
and Evil." And so, Scripture shows us "O man, what is GOOD..." This
standard was known in the very beginning.. the "tree of knowledge of
Good and Evil" (Gen2:17)
We can go through Scripture and study God's covenants manifested
over earth's 7000-year history. We can see how God issued directives for
people to live by. To not commit murder. (Gen9:5-6) The Law, as given to
Israel.(Ex20) Grace and truth, as it came through Jesus Christ. (Jn1:17)
We can study doctrines of Propitiation, Redemption, Predestination,
Sanctification; and on and on it goes. We can understand that Salvation
has always been by "grace through faith" and that it comes from God;
(Eph2:8,Jn6:44) whether it was during Moses' time, or after Jesus rose
from the dead.
But remember, Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, Whoever shall not
receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no way enter into
it. (Lk18:17) What child really understands, fully, that which we have
just rattled off in the previous paragraph? There is something even MORE
BASIC to being pleasing to God. To being "accepted" by Him. The very
Core and "Foundation" for all these other complex concepts.
In the book of Deuteronomy Moses is reviewing Israel's "recent" 40
year history. As God's Law was handed down Israel had responded, "All
the words..the LORD has said, we WILL DO." (Ex24:3b, Deu5:27)
While the Law consisted of "you shall NOT DO" or "you SHALL DO"
what did God respond to their promises? "Oh that there were such a HEART
in them.."(vs29) You see, it is the "heart" that is "deceitful above all
things, and desperately wicked" (Jer17:9) beyond full human
comprehension. Israel had proved their own wickedness for 40 years. And
so Moses spends a few chapters describing what God's desire is for them.
In years to come, David would break the law by committing adultery,
murder and lying. But his "heart" was the thing which God chose, as "the
LORD has sought Him a man after His own heart." (1Sam13:14) Man looks on
the "outward appearance but the LORD looks on the heart." (16:7) As
Jesus would say later, "do not judge according to sight, but judge
righteous judgment." (Jn7:24)
The First and Great Commandment (Mt22:38) is: "The LORD our God is
one LORD. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your might." (Deu6:4-5) There is "no
commandment greater" (Mk12:31)
To love God. This is not an emotional "feel good" state, where we
repeat some "worship mantra" over and over "I love You, Jesus...I
appreciate You.." as we sway back and forth! But the word Moses uses
over and over is "fear." God says, "..that they would fear Me.." (5:29)
Moses repeats, "..that you might fear the LORD your God.."(6:2) "..to
fear the LORD our God, for our good always."(6:24) As he asks the
question, "What does the LORD your God ask of you, but to fear the LORD
your God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the
LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, to keep the
commandments of the LORD, and His statutes.." (10:12-13)
Our devotion to God involves our "entire being." Notice the order;
heart, soul, might. (6:5) Jesus is the One Who knows the "division of
soul and spirit" (Heb4:12) Our love of God must begin at the very core
of our being...in our spirit (heart). From there, the intellect joins
in, with the soul (mind). And then, that which we know and believe
results in action with our body (might). "..so faith without works is
dead" (Ja2:26)
For people to claim that God accepts us "just as we are" and that
we "don't need to change" when we "become a Christian" is to utterly
deny the very essence and core foundation of what it means to "love the
LORD your God." Thus, God says "fear Me and keep all My
commandments."(5:29) Moses reminds, "fear the LORD..to keep all His
statutes."(6:2) To "serve the LORD your God.."(10:12) "..and keep His
charge and His statutes and His judgments.." (11:1)
No. This is not "salvation by works." This is salvation "unto good
works."(Eph2:10) The works result from our love for God. As Jesus said,
"If you love Me, keep My commandments." (Jn14:15) As the spouse whines
when the partner no longer shows interest, and goes off to do their own
thing, "you don't love me anymore!" Love, and compliance with the wishes
of the object of that love, go hand in hand.
What does God love? Justice (Ps89:14) Mercy (Ps136) Humility
(Is57:15) ...to "walk with God." (Gen5:24) He who says he abides in Him
ought himself also to walk even as He walked. (1Jn2:6)
So, we "fear the LORD..for our good always." (6:24) We understand
that God intends good for us. This "love" and "fear" assumes "trust."
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct
your paths." (Pr3:5-6)
As we learn to trust, God provides times of learning and disci-
pline. "..as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you."
(8:5) Jesus Christ, Himself "learned obedience" (Heb5:8) In Israel's
case, God allowed them "to hunger." (8:3) And then showed His provision
with manna. For the person who trusts, earthly needs are met. (Mt6:33)
But we must "remember the LORD..God, for it is He who gives [us] power
to get wealth." (8:18)
Sometimes He also tests us. "If a prophet rises among you..gives
you a sign or a wonder" and leads you down another path to false
doctrine (Gal1:8) "you shall not listen to the words of that prophet..
For the LORD your God is TESTING YOU to know whether you love the LORD
your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deu13:1-3) This
"test" the modern apostate "church" is failing miserably!!
One who truly loves God will seek to be diligent. "All the things
I command you, be CAREFUL to do it. You shall not add to it, nor take
away from it." (12:32) Taking care to "every jot & tittle" of God's
will.
As in Christ's "simplicity" (2Cor11:3) to that "little child"
seeking the "kingdom of Heaven" (Lk18:17), the Heavenly Father pleads,
"My son, give Me your heart, and let your eyes watch My ways. (Pr23:26)
Amen!
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