What Does God Require of You? Part One

“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.”  (Micah 6:8).

Jesus spoke of “justice, mercy, and faith” and of them said we “ought to” do these things. That means it is to our advantage to live with these three attributes as our character traits.

Visitors to our nation’s capital enjoy the beauty of the Library of Congress Building.  In it are beautifully decorated alcoves providing reading rooms. The various alcoves are dedicated to different disciplines: art, history, science, philosophy, and religion.  Each alcove has a distinctive design and motto.  The committee responsible for choosing the motto for the religious alcove requested prominent ministers to make suggestions. The one chosen: “What does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

When President Jimmy Carter took the oath of office as our nation’s leader he quoted the prophet Micah: “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?”  (Micah 6:8).

The prophet Micah, our Great High Priest Jesus Christ, and our former President Jimmy Carter all appeal for us to make these traits our habitual lifestyle. In our current carnal culture these attributes need to be modeled.

At a time in the life of ancient Israel when moral depravity and religious decadence corrupted the people, God sent forth four prophets simultaneously to preach to His people. 

Amos and Hosea were His heralds in the North.
Isaiah and Micah sounded forth the truth in the South.

Amos preached justice.
Hosea struck the note of love.
Isaiah called for reverent, humble fellowship with God. 
Micah gathered the gist of all three and summarily said, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, To love mercy, and walk humble with your God?” (6:8).

Three virtues are mentioned in our text that are described by God as “good.” It should also be noted they are required of us by God.  Jesus confirmed this when He said of them we “ought to” do them. 

Pause and reflect on how these virtues are lived out by you. Resolutely determine to demonstrate them daily.

I Can Do All Things

 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me….” (Phil. 4: 13) 

This popular iconic verse needs to be understood to relate to contentment, not conquest. It is not intended to relate to all activities and actions, but to the result of the outcome whether prosperous or the pits. It should be understood to give meaning to the things listed in preceding verses and be content with the result because of the strength Jesus provides. To achieve this contentment, he needed the strength of Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, many people take this verse out of context and use it to reinforce a “triumphalist” or “super-Christian” mentality, instead of seeing that the strength of Jesus in a life is evident in our ability to be content when we did suffer. 

With that confidence builder in mind don’t be reluctant to undertake those things perceived to be within God’s will. Flush from your mind old defeatist attitudes. Drive out the would-be tyrant, failure. Recapture your mind and stock it with positive principles. 

There is no such thing as an idle thought. All thoughts work for either or bad. Positive thoughts can make you stronger. Negative thoughts can exhaust you.

Two extremes exist at this point. One is positive thought can achieve anything. Not! The other is Jesus can do it all for me. Not! Together with Jesus as the master of the two wonders can be achieved. Be positive and be dependent. An example of optimum optimism is French statesman of yesteryear George Clemenceau who in his youth fought a number of duels. His second went with him to the railway station to purchase tickets to a duel and was shocked to see him buy a one way ticket.

One way ticket? Said the shocked second. “Pessimistic?” 

“Not at all,” said Clemenceau cheerfully. “I always use my opponent’s return ticket.”

No person can live long without realizing that life deals some losses, defeats, and disappointments to all. The optimist is well aware of this and is prepared to accept a share of both. It is at this point Jesus strengthens us most by enabling us to be content.

An aside to contentment is physical health. If you look on the bright side, you just might live longer — much longer, according to some upbeat research. A new study finds women who characterize themselves as having the highest level of optimism live 15% longer than the least optimistic women, and have a 50% greater chance of reaching the age of 85. The most optimistic men live 11% longer.

Not only do they live longer, they live better and are living witnesses of the contentment derived from faith in the Lord. To be content in our chaotic culture is not humanly possible. Therefore, where it exists it is a testimony to the grace of God. 

“Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his statue? 

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own thing. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6: 25-27 & 34)

Life Goes On 4/26/98

Ephesians 3:14-16
Page 1710 Come Alive Bible

Jesus Christ said, “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25).

To validate the statement that there is life for us after death He gave us proof by going out and being resurrected. It was a rare occasion that morning when the old door of death swung on reverse hinges and He walked back into life through the portal of the grave.

Occasionally at the time of death of one not closely associated with a person it is heard to be said, “Life goes on.” That statement can be made flippantly and sound callous. However, it is true. Before anyone gets the impression I am passing off grief lightly let’s think about it. Life does go on for the believer.

Our text refers to “the whole family in heaven and earth.” Our brothers and sisters in Christ constitute our spiritual family. Did you note the fact members of the family are in two different places: “heaven and earth.” When a beloved one in Christ dies they are transferred to a heavenly home where life for them goes on. WOW, is that a fact!

Easter, the acknowledgment of resurrection, is the only holiday celebrated 52 times a year. Every Sunday the Christian community gathers to celebrate the fact life goes on. Think of any of your beloved who died with faith in Christ. That one is today more alive than any one of us. For that one life goes on in heaven as ours goes on here on earth. Rejoice!

During World War II when persons in England were notified of the death of a loved one the note started: “Your loved one has been posted to a higher command.”

Thank the Lord the resurrection encourages hope in eternity.

Heaven is a real place awaiting those with faith in Christ. It has inspired art, music, novels and even humor. In that vein consider the golf game being played by Moses and Jesus. Moses hits an approach shot that clears a water hazard and lands near the green. Jesus takes out a six iron for his shot. Moses says, “Jesus, that isn’t enough club to clear the water. You are sure to land in the water.”

Jesus replies, “If Jack Nicklaus were playing this hole he would use a six iron and I am going to use a six iron.” Again Moses assures Him the club won’t clear the water.

Sure enough the ball lands in the water. Moses goes down and parts the water to retrieve the ball for Jesus. Upon returning it to Him once more Jesus chooses a six iron. Again Moses warns Him that isn’t enough club to clear the water and says he isn’t going to retrieve it again.

Again Jesus replies, “If Jack Nicklaus were playing this hole he would use a six iron. If it is good enough for Jack it is good enough for Me.”

Sure enough Jesus’ shot ends in the water again. Jesus goes down and as He is walking across the water to retrieve the ball a couple of new comers to heaven see Him walking on the water and asks, “Who does that fellow think He is, Jesus?”

“No,” says Moses, “that is Jesus. He thinks He is Jack Nicklaus.”

Jesus, having said, “He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live,” continues His encouraging comment: “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:26).

“Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” (John 8:51)

A skeptic may well ask why then do Christians die? There were seven Greek words from which Christ could choose one to be translated “see.” The one chosen means to stare at or be preoccupied with. Thus, He is saying when a believer dies that one walks right on by death without being preoccupied with it or fearful of it. They don’t even notice the event because of a greater preoccupation.

Have you ever driven some place and on route come out of a haze to question yourself as to exactly where you are in route? Perhaps, to even wonder if you have passed a certain place. You have been so deep in thought you did not even notice if you had passed it. That is the way it is with Christian death. One minute we are here and the next we are in heaven.

One parent explained it to his child this way. “Do you remember when we would return from visiting your grandparents? Often we would travel at such a time as to get home after your bed time. You would go to sleep in the car soon after leaving grandmothers. When you would wake up the next morning you would be in your own bed.”

In the moment this “earthly tabernacle is destroyed” we enter into what Christ referred to as “My Father’s house.”

Most of us have a little wholesome fear of death. It is a wonderful preservative of life. It keeps us from doing most risky things that would be foolish. One of the blessings of Christian death is that when it comes there is no fear of it. Perhaps most of your life you have been quoting Psalm 23, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for Thou art with me…” There it is “I will fear no evil.” The fear of death is removed in that moment.

With Paul we can taunt death by saying, “Oh, death where is your sting…” When a bee stings a person the bee loses its stinger. On Calvary Satan stung Christ and the sting of death has never been the same.

“They shall not see death.” One reason is there is a preoccupation with Christ. Scripture says, “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (II Corinthians 5:8).

If an American teenager were translating that Greek text it would read, “The moment you die you are eyeball-to-eyeball with God.” That, rather, than death is our preoccupation in the moment we expire. Life goes on!

In the Roman Arena, Emperor Nero watched as Christians were faced with the cruel mocking death. He was amazed to see many of them bow and look heavenward with a radiant glow on their faces as though seeing the invisible. Nero asked, “What are they looking at? What do they see?” One standing by who was sympathetic with the Christians said, “They see the resurrected Christ.” They never saw death.

In the moment life escapes from the prison of this body we are inducted into “The Society of the Just Perfected.”

In a novel by Henry James there is a character referred to as “eminently incomplete.” That’s us. In this life were are indeed eminently incomplete. Death admits us into “The Society of the Just Perfected.” Life goes on — on a much higher plane.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Corinthians 4: 16 – 18).

Living in a world of “instant everything” we tend to become spiritually nearsighted. This has robbed us of a proper perspective of time and things. Out text contrasts the “moment” with “eternity” and the “visible” with the “invisible.”

Time and eternity has a way of showing us what is temporary and what is permanent; what is valuable and what is useless. Measure the things of your life in this light. Adjust your schedule accordingly. Rearrange your priorities in light of this.

When Horatio Nelson, one of Britain’s greatest leaders, was wounded and lay dying his last words were, “Thank God I have done my duty.” What an incomprehendible joy!

Can you say the same?

A new and exhilarating ride was introduced. It was so revolutionary people were reluctant to ride it. It was called the Ferris Wheel. It is a familiar tame ride by today’s standards. However, initially its novelty caused people to fear the baskets would turn upside down and let them fall out. Finally, one day a gracious lady got on and rode it to the amazed satisfaction of the large crowd of on lookers. Her name was Mrs. Ferris. After she rode it others were reassured and had no reluctance to ride.

When Jesus Christ got on life’s Ferris Wheel and went through the cycle of birth, life, death, and resurrection it took away fear and made life a grand joy ride. Enjoy!

In his book, A Severe Mercy, Sheldon Vanauken, whose wife died of cancer, tells of the last day he saw his friend, C.S. Lewis. They had lunch together and talked about death or, as he says, “the wakening after death.” Vanauken suggested that death would be a sort of coming home, and Lewis agreed. When it came time to part, he insisted that they keep in touch and said with a cheerful grin, “We’ll certainly meet here or there.”

The two shook hands and Lewis turned to make his way across the busy street. Then he turned to Vanauken, raised his voice above the traffic, grinned and shouted, “Besides, Christians never say goodby.”

We don’t need to because life goes on and the resurrection of Christ proves it.

Prior to his death the superb British leader Sir Winston Churchill planned his own funeral. The ceremony was conducted in the expansive St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral in London. At a striking moment a trumpeter in one end of the vast vaulted assembly hall played taps. The stirring notes of the familiar score echoed through the chamber signaling the final rest of the deceased. Just before the end of the ceremony another trumpeter at the other end of the room played reveille. That rousing sound used to awaken sleeping troops was chosen by Sir Winston as a confident reminder of his belief in the resurrection.

Some grand day the trumpeter of the Lord will sound forth God’s reveille and the dead in Christ shall be caught up to be with Him and we who are alive shall accompany them.

There is a grand resurrection awaiting those who have died with saving faith in Christ. The resurrection of Christ confirms this.

“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (I Corinthians 15:20).

Persons in the Bible era knew what was meant by “the first fruits.” By learning we should be encouraged. As the time of harvest neared farmers expectantly looked for the first grain to ripen. As soon as it did it was immediately harvested. They had a grand celebration. All of the farmers brought the first shocks of grain harvested to the house of God. In procession they waved the grain back and forth over their heads praising the Lord. It was a celebration of gratitude. It was a thanks for the growing season that produced the grain as well as a praise for what was to come.

The resurrected Christ is seen as the first fruit from the grave. That is, His resurrection gives us reason to celebrate life and rejoice over our own forthcoming resurrection.

In light of what you have heard here in these moments listen again more carefully than before to John 3: 16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3: 16). Life goes on!

As Christ is the first fruit of the dead resurrected there are subsequent resurrections coming. Revelation 20: 6 says, “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.” This is a reference to the forthcoming resurrection of all believers.

There is another resurrection which follows the first resurrection. It also is spoken of in the Revelation. There are indications there may be as much as a thousand years between the first and second resurrection. The second is of non-believers.

Every person will be in one of the two. In which will you be numbered? Do not leave any room for doubt. Settle the issue today, once and for all.

Regardless of how long or how difficult life’s road you will stand at the end when the resurrected Christ who also met the apostle John who recorded his encounter with the triumphant Lord in Revelation 1: 17, 18: “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.’”

A Thankful Disposition

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (I Thessalonians 5: 18)

Simply stated, “It is God’s will for you to have a thankful disposition.” He not only wants you to have moments of giving thanks, He wants you to be thankful perpetually.

Giving thanks is an act of the will. 

Feeling thankful is an act of the emotions.

What is your disposition? Not what you wish it were, but what is it? What do persons conceive of your disposition as being based on what they have seen and heard?

Our predecessors realized the expediency of giving thanks and set aside for doing so. It is a good thing. Charles Dickens, however, may have had a better idea. He suggested that we reverse the practice and have a special day for griping and use the rest of the year for expressing thanks.

If you choose to change your mind and disposition to being by nature a thankful person it will amaze you and refresh your friends as to what a difference it will make.

When we start to count flowers,
we cease to count weeds.

When we start to count blessings,
we cease to count needs.

When we start to count laughter,
We cease to count tears.

When we count happy memories,
we cease to count fears.

We live in a society of ingrates. When was the last time you saw someone bow before a meal and give thanks in public. Do you? Will you?

A nationally prominent lawyer was responsible for sparing 78 men from the electric chair. Not one ever thanked him. Daily our Lord spares us. Do we thank Him?

The only way to consistently give thanks is for our focus to be on God. He is the constant that affords emotional equilibrium. If our focus is on things and happenings our thanks will vacillate.

Demonstration must accompany declaration. The difference in saying thanks flippantly and demonstrating thanksgiving is the difference in lightening and a lightening bug.  Note thanks is only part of the word thanksgiving. Giving is also part of the word. One of the three offerings exercised by ancient Jews was a thanksgiving offering. One can offer thanks without giving. However, the Lord instituted the offering so persons could demonstrate the devotion of their hearts.

Leonardo da Vinci neared the completion of one of his masterpieces. He called one of his students over and giving his said, “Here, you finish it.” The student, feeling unworthy, protested. Da Vinci said, “Will not what I have done inspire you to do your best?”

If what Jesus has done does not inspire us to be, do, and give our best, nothing will. Resolve now to demonstrate a thankful heart to the Lord daily.

Companions of Thanksgiving

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,  for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2: 1 – 4)

With the approach of Thanksgiving it is appropriate to consider giving thanks.

Prayer, talking to God, is therapeutic. A letter from the Apostle Paul to his young colleague Timothy having this in mind encourages four types of engagement with the Lord. They form an admirable pattern for prayer today.

They are:
Supplication. This means to recognize a need and ask God to meet it. It arises from a sense of inadequacy or inability to meet a need. It involves asking God to supply the need or to meet it.

This is the type of prayer most often offered.  It is not to be discouraged. It is actually encouraged by God. The pages of the Bible ripple with appeals for us to ask of the Lord. It should be remembered there are qualifications for asking. Every limitation to the effectiveness of prayer are on this end of the line.

Prayers. This word literally means to draw near to God and pour out your heart. It is a general term for worship of the Lord as the God whose name is hallowed. 

Intercessions. The term was used to refer to asking authority to enter into the king’s presence and make a request on behalf of someone. This, too is an evidence selfishness doesn’t rule in the life of the one praying. A prayer for a person is a way of showing love for that one.

Thanksgiving. This is an expression of gratitude not only for blessings bestowed and prayers answered, but for the very privilege of praying. It is the spirit in which all prayer should be offered and life lived.

Those who lack a basic sense of gratitude in their lives lack a basic Christian virtue.

Why should we give thanks? It is answered in the text, “this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. . . .”

In an agricultural era (1844) Henry Alford penned a hymn entitled “Come, ye thankful people, come” that has appeared in 661 hymnals. These inspirational words constitute the first stanza.

“Come, ye thankful people, come, 
raise the song of harvest home; 
all is safely gathered in, 
ere the winter storms begin. 
God our Maker doth provide 
for our wants to be supplied; 
come to God’s own temple, come, 
raise the song of harvest home.”

Let the first line of this classic resonate in your mind during this season of Thanksgiving. Don’t just give thanks, be truly thankful for our benevolent God.