Thursday, June 21, 2012

What the Lord Requires

God's Creative Word
God Calls For Justice:  Justice Defined

The Heart of the Law

Micah 6:1-8

The Message
What God Is Looking For

 1-2 Listen now, listen to God: "Take your stand in court.
   If you have a complaint, tell the mountains;
   make your case to the hills.
And now, Mountains, hear God's case;
   listen, Jury Earth—
For I am bringing charges against my people.
   I am building a case against Israel.

 3-5"Dear people, how have I done you wrong?
   Have I burdened you, worn you out? Answer!
I delivered you from a bad life in Egypt;
   I paid a good price to get you out of slavery.
I sent Moses to lead you—
   and Aaron and Miriam to boot!
Remember what Balak king of Moab tried to pull,
   and how Balaam son of Beor turned the tables on him.
Remember all those stories about Shittim and Gilgal.
   Keep all God's salvation stories fresh and present."
 6-7How 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?
 8But 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.
 

For Reflection 
Have you ever noticed that people with vastly differing philosophies can successfully collaborate on a project but if discussing their philosophical differences end in impasse?  What does that say about the people of God?  God "has made it plain how to live, what to do..."  In comparison to right theology,  how important is right living? 

Pray
 that you will live the life God wills for you.  Pray that Justice, Love and Obedience to God takes precedence over philosophical differences.  Pray that you love and attend to the Christian and the non-Christian equally.  Pray that you become a conduit for God's grace.

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