Micah 6:8He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness;
and to walk humbly with your God? English Standard Version (ESV)
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness;
and to walk humbly with your God? English Standard Version (ESV)
For the past couple of days we've been considering our call to "do good works" which involves giving, loving, speaking out, and taking time for others. Today's verse from the Old Testament book of Micah adds one more component to it, we are to "love kindness".
There may have been times in our lives where we've done acts of kindness out of a duty, being something the we know and have possibly been asked to do, especially when it is out of our comfort zone. We may end up doing things "begrudgingly" where our hearts are not truly in it. John Piper writes, "the good alternative to begrudgingly is not neutrally or dutifully, but gladly. The authentic heart of love "loves kindness" (Micah 6:8). It doesn't just do kindness. Christian Hedonism forces this truth into consideration."
Sometimes we are coaxed (or almost dragged) into doing a service, serving in a ministry only to find joy in at as we are doing it. It may be in the form of a "Feed the Hunger" pack-a-thon, serving lunch or dinner at a homeless shelter or any number of ministries. But when you put your heart into it, you realize that there is much joy in doing good. What was first done begrudgingly may turn into a kindness that we love to do, so much so that when the next opportunity to serve comes along we will volunteer joyfully out of love.
I'll end with verse 9 from The Message, a reminder that we are to take God seriously, this is serious business.
Attention! God calls out to the city!
If you know what's good for you, you'll listen.
So listen, all of you!
This is serious business.
If you know what's good for you, you'll listen.
So listen, all of you!
This is serious business.
Micah 6:7-9The Message (MSG)
6-7 How can I stand up before God
and show proper respect to the high God?
Should I bring an armload of offerings
topped off with yearling calves?
Would God be impressed with thousands of rams,
with buckets and barrels of olive oil?
Would he be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child,
my precious baby, to cancel my sin?
and show proper respect to the high God?
Should I bring an armload of offerings
topped off with yearling calves?
Would God be impressed with thousands of rams,
with buckets and barrels of olive oil?
Would he be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child,
my precious baby, to cancel my sin?
8 But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.
what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.
9 Attention! God calls out to the city!
If you know what's good for you, you'll listen.
So listen, all of you!
This is serious business.
If you know what's good for you, you'll listen.
So listen, all of you!
This is serious business.
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