GOD'S THREE REQUIREMENTS OF MAN

MICAH 6:8

A. "HE HATH SHEWED THEE, O MAN, WHAT IS GOOD; AND WHAT THE LORD REQUIRES OF THEE, BUT TO DO JUSTLY, AND TO LOVE MERCY, AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH THY GOD."
  1. The Bible is singular in stating great truths in a few simple words:
    1. We think of the golden rule - Matt. 7:12
    2. The wise man states in a few words the Bible concept of true morality - Eccl. 12:13, 14
    3. Our text gives, in a few verses, Heaven's understanding of the very heart of all morality - Matt. 22:37-40
    4. The summation of the gospel of Jesus Christ is stated in John 3:16
  2. Micah, too, expresses the total requirement of man's duty to God and to his fellow men:
B. GOD'S THREE REQUIREMENTS OF MAN
  1. To do justly:
    1. This basic requirement of man is found in the Ten Commandments - Ex. 20:3-17
    2. Detailed instructions about our attitude toward others can be found in Lev. 19:35, 36; Ezek. 45:10; Prov. 11:1
    3. Justice is an act of faith, revealed in our daily life - Hab. 2:4
    4. The first resurrection is named after the just - Luke 14:14. Bible characters called just - Noah - Gen. 6:9 Job - Job 1:1 John - Mark 6:20 Joseph - Luke 23:40 Simeon - Luke 2:25
  2. To love mercy: The word "mercy" signifies pity for the undeserving and guilty. Mercy is the handmaiden to justice.
    1. By mercy and truth, iniquity is purged - Prov. 16:6
    2. The merciful will receive mercy - Matt. 18:25-35
    3. God desires mercy above sacrifice.
    4. This is illustrated in the parable of the good Samaritan - Luke 10:33-40
    5. Mercy and truth are inseparable - Ps. 85:10; Luke 15:11-32
  3. To walk humbly with thy God:
    1. Walking with God implies a personal relationship with God. EXAMPLES -
      1. Noah - Gen. 6:9; Heb. 11:7
      2. Enoch - Gen. 5:22-24; Heb. 11:5
    2. Humility is the very essence of spiritual relationship with God -
      1. Lucifer failed in this - Isa. 14:12-18
      2. The Pharisees were marked by spiritual pride - Matt. 6:5-9; 23:20-36
C. THE LIFE OF GOD'S CHILDREN IS A WALK WITH GOD
  1. They are honest: Rom. 13:13
  2. They are the children of light: Eph. 5:2
  3. They walk in the spirit: Gal. 5:16
  4. They walk in love: Eph. 5:2
  5. They walk even as he walked: 1 John 2:6
    1. When we walk with God it means -
      1. That we are in harmony with His holy will - Amos 3:3; Rom. 2:17-19; Heb. 10:15, 16
    2. Walking with God will influence the course of our life -
      1. We will become spiritually minded - 2 Cor. 3:18
      2. We will be about our Father's business - 1 Pet. 2:9-11
      3. We will strive for that which is most godlike - Phil. 4:8
      4. We will love righteousness and hate iniquity.
      5. Our walk will lead us into the Father's house - Ps. 23:1-6
      6. Walking with God means that we commune with Him; that means a life of prayer. 2 Cor. 13:14
    3. What a life -- to be walking with God! Thus we see that the three requirements of man are -
      1. To do justly,
      2. To love mercy,
      3. And to humbly walk with God.


Design © John Bryant 2011