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 to walk humbly with your
God?
This last Sunday, Pastor
Obie continued in our Sermon series of the Minor Prophets with the book of
Micah with the above key verse. Now that all of the Summer vacations are over
and schools are back in session, he asks: “Why do we not do well in certain
areas?” In school and in life, we do better in certain subject areas than
others. Why? He says that it is because we do not meet the requirements. That
we need to know what is needed to be on track and pass with high grades. I
always say, learn and know the material and you’ll pass, but it goes beyond
just fulfilling requirements and doing enough; it is a heart attitude. I used
to teach my players in youth sports the three D’s to success … Dedication,
Devotion and Desire; not just hard work, developing skills and gaining
experience to improve, but life attributes in their hearts to succeed – on the
field and beyond the game. The Lord desires for us to make an impact on the
world around us.
Isaiah 1:17 “Learn
to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead
for the widow.”
Pastor Obie explains that
class is in session and God gave us three requirements in Micah 6:8 for success
in life. (1) To do Justly is to fight for righteousness. The 1828 Webster’s
Dictionary defines the word “justice” as: The
virtue which consists in giving to every one what is his due; practical
conformity to the laws and to principles of rectitude in the dealings of men
with each other; honesty; integrity in commerce or mutual intercourse. The
Greek word is Mishpat and includes
impartiality; equity; vindictive retribution in merited punishment; and that
which is Right in the eyes of the Lord. Doing “right” and be justly due.
But, what is “right”? Sovereign God is the true source of “right” and “wrong”
and He has give us details in His holy Word.
Our world has been permeated
with moral relativism today, which states: “I can do anything as long as it
doesn’t hurt anyone.” But, who defines what “hurt” means? Moral relativism
screams for tolerance, while being intolerant. What one person benefits from
hurts another, and vice-versa. The Word of God is the schoolmaster and ultimate
authority which defines borders on right and wrong, so basically, that which is
“right” in the eyes of the Lord. Webster’s defines the word “righteousness” as:
Purity of heart and rectitude of life;
conformity of heart and life to the divine law. Righteousness, as used in
Scripture and theology, in which it is chiefly used, is nearly equivalent to
holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity
of life to the divine law. It includes all we call justice, honesty and virtue,
with holy affections; in short, it is true religion.
Let's continue Pastor Obie's School of Life message on the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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