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? (vs8)
Instructions are simple, regarding walking with God. Do justice, love mercy (being kind to others), and walk humbly with your Master. If we do these things, we shall not fail.
First, do justice! The righteousness of God in saving your soul has taught you that justice and uprightness are essential to Him, “even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference” (Rom 3:22). He won't save apart from justice honored, and He makes all who believe the gospel, not only righteous before Him in Christ but also upright in our dealings with His word, “because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Pet 1:16). We walk obedient to Him, doing what He says, examining ourselves, and giving all diligence to improve our character. We are NOT people who say, “Christ died for me, so I can live in sin”, but we use Christ's death to get the power of the Spirit, whereby we do His will, making our own election sure and bringing fruit that proves that we know God. Those who talk about Jesus, but do not walk uprightly according to the scriptures, are false and in need of repentance (1 Tim 6:5). All who believe unto obedience and holiness are the real followers of Christ: truth plus love.
Secondly, love mercy! As you walk uprightly, you know how hard it is and how many failures you have (Matt 7:1-5). The reason that we're kept isn't because of our strength or perfection in us, but it is in spite of the sins within, in spite of what we do, by the patient, forbearing kindness of God. He is MERCIFUL to you, pardons you repeatedly, gives repentance continually, and has compassion on you that you wouldn't even show yourself. He forgives, delights in mercy, and we're to put this love on in dealing with others. “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you”. Let us never go to Christ for mercy, and then arise from our knees, and show hard bondage, unforgiveness, and severity to our fellow man (Matt 18:21-35). Let us know that all are sinners, and others are as bad as us, and while we don't say, “Sinners will sin, so let them be”, but we always deal with ourselves first, so that we may have the proper PITY and compassion in helping others fight against their sins. Jesus says, “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye”. Love demands us to be merciful to wrong doers, and obtaining mercy day by day makes us able to show it continually as well.
Thirdly, walk humbly with your God! Don't be proud about your achievements, your obedience, or look to yourself for strength. At all times, we are walking by faith, in the power of the Spirit, and in the Name or merit of King Jesus (1 Cor 6:11). We don't get our obedience from human will power; it is God's gift, as we continually look to Him who draws us (1 Cor 1:24). We have nothing to brag about, except grace which has transformed us for real. And, we continually walk in open confession of our need of Christ's grace, or we cannot stand a moment. This humble needy soul, this soul that says, “Thank you” for grace, is the soul that God loves to help. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Pet 5:5-6). He will help the sinner who admits their sins, the saint who admits his need, and He will give grace to all who need Him to do everything.
Don't burden yourself in hypocrisy. Walk the Lord's way, prove that you know Christ, and enjoy the benefits of a saving relationship with Christ.
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