Micah 6:8 - Pleasing God

"No, o Israel, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." 

(Micah 6:8 NLT)

Hello, Mrs. Kurtz. 
     Now that we have finished discussing Micah 6:8, I decided to share with you some of the things that I learned, and to summarize the main idea of the verse.
     As an individual, I tend to place a lot of importance on pleasing people. My actions are geared toward satisfying my role models/authority figures because I know they have my best interest in mind. I get good SAT scores for my parents, turn in homework for teachers, and make my time intervals for my coach, but oftentimes I forget what's most important: pleasing God. But, what exactly does it mean to please God? How can I live out His will?
     Luckily, thanks to your help, I have discovered that the Bible gives us the perfect outline for this in Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God".
     God has given us three main commands to shape our lives as believers: act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
     Acting justly means being fair to others and having a Biblical sense of morality. God is fair in punishing us sinners with Hell if we choose to reject His salvation. "For we know Him who said, 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' and again 'The Lord will judge His people'." (Hebrews 10:30) Not only are we to treat other people justly according to the Word, but also we are to do what is right. Acting justly also means that we do the right thing even when it is easier to sin. This requires listening to the Holy Spirit within you and letting Him guide your actions.
     Loving mercy means is choosing to forgive people of whom you have the ability to resent. As we discussed, Jesus exemplifies this perfectly in His conversations with the woman caught in adultery and the woman at the well (John 8:1-11; John 4:1-42). It was within His power to condemn these ladies, yet He showed them mercy and offered them forgiveness for their sins when the other bystanders were so quick to judge and shame them.
     Walking humbly with God requires us to honestly assess our own priorities and motives. To walk humbly is to turn away from our self-reliance and to realize and accept God's sovereignty. Humility comes from focusing not on ourselves, or even on humility at all, but rather setting our sights on the things above (Colossians 3:1-4).
     Perhaps one of the most important things I've learned throughout our exchanges these last few weeks is that in order to live out Micah 6:8, my heart needs to be in the right place first. This really struck a chord with me. Unlike my parents, teachers, and coaches, pleasing God requires a change in heart and attitude--NOT just actions. I am able to excel in school and please others without having my heart behind it, but I cannot do the same with God. My actions alone will not help me live out God's will. I need a change of attitude. One verse that you shared really stood out for me: "Search me, O God, and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139: 23-24) Thus I will continue praying that God would transform my heart, and that my actions may follow as a result. 

Dear God, I ask that You transform my heart and give me a willingness to follow You, regardless of the circumstances. Help me to live out Micah 6:8--to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with You, that I may please You, because I know that Your will is greater than my own. 

Dear friend,
     Amen and amen! May you and I have a lifetime of a willingness to follow the Lord, even at great personal sacrifice or cost, and may our attitudes reflect our love for and commitment to the One who is greater that we. It is such a delight to work with you!

Micah 6:8 - A Call to a Selfless Life

"No, o Israel, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." 

(Micah 6:8 NLT)

Dear friend,
     It has been such a pleasure to study Micah 6:8 with you over the past weeks! God's Word is clear, and so is our calling:

• Do what is right: we face choices each day, some small and some large. Choosing to do what is right may be difficult, inconvenient, uncomfortable, and even costly at times. Do we love and trust the Lord enough to make the choice anyway?

• Love mercy: we certainly love mercy when we are the recipients of it, and when we feel bad for someone. We'll feel the heat of testing when the mercy involves someone who has caused great hurt. Will we obey the Lord and embrace mercy?

• Walk humbly with your God: we need to walk daily with the Lord. It is easy to be drawn away in our thoughts and actions if we are not clinging to the Lord. Without Him, we will not have a proper perspective to do what is right or to love mercy. Do we realize our need and yearn for the Lord with all our being?

     The call of Micah 6:8 is a call to a selfless life, a life fully abandoned to God. This is a life of faith, trusting Him completely. It is scary. We like to know and to be in control. We want the right to approve of His plans. Are we willing?

"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!" (Matthew 13: 45-46)

"At this point many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, 'Are you also going to leave?' Simon Peter replied, 'Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know that You are the Holy One of God'." (John 6:68-69)

• Are we willing to abandon everything for the "pearl of great value"?
• Having found the One who has the words of eternal life, will we walk away? 

Heavenly Father, We desire to follow You, for You alone have the words that give eternal life. The call is for a complete surrender, abandoning ourselves to follow You. We know that You love us, and that we can trust You completely. Yet in our weaknesses we stumble and are fearful. Will You use us, strengthen us, transform us? We love You, yet we want to love You more.

Micah 6:8 - The Impact of Walking Humbly (or not)

"No, o Israel, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." 

(Micah 6:8 NLT)

Hello, Mrs. Kurtz. (continued from original letter) 
     Walk humbly with your God: I must accept who God is. God is my Creator and Savior; without Him, I am just a sinner destined for eternal punishment. Humility is accepting that I am nothing without God. Walking humbly with God is putting things in the proper order and realizing that God and His will are greater than me and my will. 

"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." (John 3:30) 
(cont'd)

Dear friend,
     I want to quote you again, because your summary is so correct! "Walking humbly with God is putting things in the proper order and realizing that God and His will are greater than me and my will."
     As we delve into this final element of Micah 6:8, let us consider how walking humbly will impact the other two elements, doing what is right, and loving mercy. Or, if it is easier, let us consider how a lack of humility will distort both justice (doing what is right) and mercy. Why are these three linked?

• Without humility, we may resort to determining our own standard of right and wrong, thereby redefining justice and mercy. 

• Without humility, we may compare ourselves to others, making judgments as to who is better, and thus neglecting either justice or mercy (or both).

• Without humility, both justice and mercy can be used as instruments of control over others.

• Without humility, justice and mercy become an end in themselves. Both were meant to lead to a restoration of a relationship between God and man. 

"But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them...Yet, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused..." (Romans 1:18-32)

     It is frightening to think that in our pride we can misuse both justice and mercy. We become the determiners of what "should" happen.

• What does justice look like when it is exercised without humility?
• How can mercy be misused if humility isn't present?
• In what ways can both justice and mercy lead to a restored relationship between man and God?

Heavenly Father, You have given us a high calling, to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with You. Yet it is so easy to go our own way! Will You fill us, transform us, and use us for Your glory?

Jesus walked in humility. He was God but did not demand special treatment. Rather, He came as a servant.

Micah 6:8 - Walk Humbly

"No, o Israel, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." 

(Micah 6:8 NLT)

Hello, Mrs. Kurtz. (continued from original letter) 
     Walk humbly with your God: I must accept who God is. God is my Creator and Savior; without Him, I am just a sinner destined for eternal punishment. Humility is accepting that I am nothing without God. Walking humbly with God is putting things in the proper order and realizing that God and His will are greater than me and my will. 

"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." (John 3:30) 
(cont'd)


Dear friend,
     For me, walking humbly may be the most difficult portion of this verse. I tend to be pretty self-satisfied! Although the Word truly states that we can do nothing without the Lord, it's easy to slip into an attitude of smugness. I may not say the words for others to hear, but I can find myself rehearsing "my" accomplishments in my mind.
     As you have correctly stated, "walking humbly with God is putting things in the proper order and realizing that God and His will are greater than me and my will".

"After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God's servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow." (1 Corinthians 3:5-6, though the entire passage gives a better context)

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory." (Colossians 3:1-4, again, the full passage helps)

     One of my struggles with this Biblical perspective is putting it into practice. When I was younger, I thought that in order to "walk humbly" I had to think terrible things of myself all the time, that I could never be satisfied with things I had done, and that I couldn't accept praise. Can you imagine the battles I had with my self-image, and with my walk of faith?
     In our blog exchanges, I've tried to refrain from referencing men (other than in the attached videos), and to share Scripture alone. But today I want to share with you a powerful quote that illustrates a Biblical perspective:

"Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call 'humble' nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he is a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him, it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. 

"He will not be thinking about humility: 

he will not be thinking about himself at all."

(C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)

     Although I cannot put my finger on a specific instance, my husband was my greatest help as I tried to understand how to walk humbly (back in our dating years). He didn't put me down or remind me of verses about humility. Neither did he inflate my ego with praise. He enjoyed life. He lived out his faith. He didn't brag about himself, nor did he disparage himself in the name of "humility". He had a right view of himself and others, and by his example I learned to do the same.

     When my self-view is distorted, my relationship with God suffers. My relationships with people suffer as well. If this portion of Micah 6:8 is not present, the other portions of Micah 6:8 will be out of balance with God and His Word as well (more on that later).

Heavenly Father, You are the Author of Life, and the Giver of all good things. By Your Holy Spirit we live for You. Will You search us, point out our sinful pride and self-obsession? Will You teach us to walk humbly with You?

I shared this song with you before. It has had a lifelong impact. I pray that it will echo in your heart as well.

Micah 6:8 - Life Applications

"No, o Israel, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." 

(Micah 6:8 NLT)

Hello, Mrs. Kurtz.  (cont'd from previous blog)
Ways to apply Micah 6:8 to life:

• I need to be honest enough with myself to confront my convictions and do the right thing rather than just pushing guilt aside. I can make a point of asking God to help me honor Him in all facets of life and show me my "blind spots". 

• Specifically I can do what is right by LEARNING TO SHUT MY MOUTH when I don't have God-honoring words, and treating people with respect, especially those I dislike. I need to have a mindset of being last, and live it out. 

• IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT I WANT OR WHAT IS CONVENIENT FOR ME. I should focus on how I can serve others ahead of myself, showing mercy to people who could benefit from my help or encouragement. I must also show mercy to people in my life who have not always been kind to me rather than seeking revenge or ceasing to give them another chance.

Dear friend, I delight to read your applications of our verse of study! May you continue to listen to and yield to the Holy Spirit, who is living and working in you. Below I'm going to share some related Scriptures.

"Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

"You must have the same attitude that Jesus had.

"Though He was God, 
He did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, He gave up His divine privileges;
He took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When He appeared in human form,
He humbled Himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal's death on a cross." (Philippians 2:3-8)

"You have heard that the law says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the goood, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48)


Heavenly Father, Will You enable us to serve in obscurity, to love without return, and to live as You call us to live? We thank You for Your Holy Spirit who lives and works in us!

Micah 6:8 - When Mercy and Justice Meet

"No, o Israel, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." 

(Micah 6:8 NLT)

Hello, Mrs. Kurtz. I looked into John 4:1-42 and here are some of my thoughts:

• Jesus initiated the conversation with the woman at the well. This is quite unusual given the fact that Jesus was a Jew and the lady was a Samaritan. At this time, Samaritans were considered "less than" and "impure" by the Jews because of their race. Jesus, in a way, had to humble Himself to even be seen in the presence of a Samaritan, let alone hold a conversation with one.

• Jesus told the woman that He would give her "living water" so she'd no longer be thirsty. This living water would lead to eternal life. At first the Samaritan woman misunderstood, but eventually things became clear as Jesus explained that "salvation is from the Jews" (referring to Himself). Jesus is the living water that quenches our spiritual thirst. This analogy compares our need for water to our even greater need for salvation through Christ.

• I think Jesus' motive behind approaching the Samaritan woman was to lead her and other Samaritans to the Truth ("Many more of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman's testimony). 

• In this story, Jesus showed mercy to the woman. The lady was a nonbelieving Samaritan who had multiple failed marriages in addition to engaging in sex outside of marriage. In contrast, Jesus was/is perfect. He was in a position that enabled Him to condemn or ridicule the woman, yet He showed her mercy. Jesus exposed her sins, yet He gave her the option of following Him and turning away from her sin. The lady deserved punishment for her actions, but Jesus forgave her and gave her a second chance. (cont'd next blog)

As always, I would love to hear your insights as well! You have very profound thoughts on the Bible and I love hearing them and taking them to heart.

Dear friend,

     On many occasions in His ministry, Jesus stated His purpose(s) for coming.

"For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost." (Luke 19:10)

"For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." (Matthew 9:13)

     Nothing Jesus did was spontaneous or accidental. He was deliberate. Jesus came for people: outcasts, losers, sinners. He sought them: adultresses, tax collectors, demonaics, prisoners. He came to offer life everlasting. Jesus came to restore relationships with the Father, offering hope to all who would believe. In His ministry, Jesus didn't just preach in the temple or associate with the religious elite; He went to people who needed Him.
 
"But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." (Romans 5:8)

     Jesus loved the people. He touched a leper; He ate with a tax collector; He asked a Samaritan woman for a drink; He met with a Pharisee under the cover of darkness. He loved, healed, fed, restored, guided.
     Yet, in His mercy, justice was served. He never hesitated to speak the truth, yet the truth wasn't to condemn; it was to provide a remedy. He offered living water, a thirst-quenching salvation. As you said, Jesus "gave her the option". The Samaritan woman had to respond, and she chose the living water. Faced with the truth of her sinfulness, she didn't offer excuses or become offended. She KNEW that the One with whom she spoke was different. Why? How?
     When God gave us the words of Micah 6:8, it was not a rash or random statement; it was His character. When Jesus came, He fulfilled it perfectly.


Heavenly Father, We thank You that You love us so much as to seek us when we are far from You. We thank You that You offer both justice and mercy through Jesus Christ. We thank You for showing us how valuable all people are. Will You fill us with Your Holy Spirit and enable us to love people as You do?

If ever we get a chance (perhaps this summer?), I would love to watch and study with you using the "Truth Project". This is a powerful video series. I think that you would love how it makes you think. This is the trailer for the program.

Micah 6:8 - When Mercy Abounds

"No, o Israel, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." 

(Micah 6:8 NLT)

Hello, Mrs. Kurtz. I looked at John 8:1-11, and with some research I came to some conclusions:

• The crowd was very eager to punish the adulterous womand (they wanted to stone her), but Jesus responded, saying "let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone". Jesus flipped the situation around on the crowd; He challenged the men to look at their own flaws before judging another for theirs.
• "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). In God's eyes, all people are sinners in need of salvation. He doesn't compare one sinner to another, but rather He sees that we have all fallen short in comparison to our perfect example, Jesus.
• "Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye" (Matthew 7:5). I, like the crowd, am in no position to judge others if I have not first recognized and repented of my own faults.
• After Jesus confronted the crowd, they all left because they felt convicted by Jesus's words, and left after realizing that they were in the wrong.
• Jesus did not judge the woman. He told her to "go now and leave your life of sin," which shows God's willingness to show us mercy. This should lead to a change on our part though, because, although He forgave the woman, He told her to leave her sinful life behind. He called her to repent. Repentance is not only asking for forgiveness, but also seeking a relationship with God so He can give you the power to turn from  your sins. 

     Is this what you got from that passage as well? I'd love to hear your thoughts because I am sure there is probably a lot that I missed. 

Dear friend,
     Isn't this an exciting passage? It echoes in our hearts with a message of mery and hope! I think that you did a great job of studying the passage and getting to the heart of the matter, well done! In fact, you have a great structure for teaching this passage to others, should you have the chance.
     I'm going to share below some of the takeaways that I have.

• This situation must have been very tense, yet Jesus reacted with consummate calmness. His lack of reaction quite possibly shocked the religious leaders, as well as the woman, and the bystanders who would have been watching. Jesus changed the whole tenor of the moment.
• This event in Jesus's life is just one of many attempts by religious leaders to test Jesus--they wanted Him to slip up in knowing/interpreting/applying the religious law. Sometimes I have to chuckle--don't you think they'd learn that they fail every time? It reminds me of the old saying, "bringing a knife to a gunfight".
• Jesus wrote on the ground with His finger. No one knows what He wrote. It doesn't matter, or it would have been recorded for us. But, the time He took to do this served His purpose. The people wanted a reaction, a judgment, or a statement that they could use against Him. He didn't lower Himself to their level.
• The law did indeed call for punishment, yet what was really happening here was about the religious leaders' motives. Why did they bring her? Where was the man with whom she had committed adultery? 
• Mercy abounded on that day, and all were left unable to respond or to condemn. Yes, adultery is sin. Yes, the woman could have been punished. Jesus did not condemn. He forgave. He gave the woman an opportunity to live a new life. In this moment, Jesus did not overlook sin; He already had a plan to take her punishment for her. Jesus would die to take the punishment for this woman's sin, just as He has done for you and for me. In this passage we see justice and mercy working together.
• There will be times in our lives when we will have to confront sin. You have correctly noted that we have to deal with sin in our own lives before we judge/condemn another. We'll have to examine our lives and our motives: why do we want to address this situation? What do we want for that person? **This is where the "walk humbly" part of Micah 6:8 enters in.

           As I conclude for now, I'll give you another passage to study: John 4:1-42. I think you'll see many connections. Here are some questions to consider:

• Who initiated the conversation? Why was this surprising?
• What information did Jesus disclose that stunned the woman? 
• What do you think was His motive for what He said to her? (Hint: look at the outcome)
• How did mercy abound, while still facing the truth?
• What can you and I learn and apply in our lives about living out the truths of Micah 6:8 in our world today?

Heavenly Father, we thank You, for Your ways are good. You alone can act with justice and mercy in equal measure. Will You transform us, fill us with Your Spirit, and enable us to do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with You?

How can we "speak life" into our world? Will we show abounding mercy?

Micah 6:8 - Love Mercy

"No, o Israel, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." 

(Micah 6:8 NLT)

Hello, Mrs. Kurtz.

   (Cont'd) "Love mercy": I was very confused when I read this originally...what does it mean to "love mercy"? So, like any 21st century kid with a question that needs to be answered, I turned to Google.

Mercy: 

"compassion or forgiveness shown 

toward someone whom it is 

within one's power to punish or harm".

     Essentially mercy is choosing to be kind and loving toward others even when they don't deserve it. It is responding to being wronged with compassion rather than resentment, just like Christ does for me, a sinner. 

"For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time--to show us His grace through Christ Jesus". (2 TImothy 1:9)

     I am to follow Jesus' example and show mercy (undeserved grace) to others.

Here are some links to sites I found helpful for this:
Undeserved Mercy: The Faithfulness of God's Forgiveness
Things That Matter (Micah 6:8) - Pastor Daniel Fusco
Got Questions: What does it mean to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8)?

Dear friend,

     We will spend the rest of our lives reveling in words like "mercy"! It is so simple, yet so profound, so difficult to understand, yet so easy. God is merciful. He who has all power and every right to judge delights in mercy, and so will His people, if His Spirit is within them.
     Do you remember the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) that we discussed last week? What made him a "neighbor" was his act of showing mercy--in a situation where he didn't have to be involved, and when it cost him both time and money.
     An equally telling passage is the encounter Jesus had with a woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). Asked to judge the woman, Jesus challenges the men to examine themselves first. They all left, until only Jesus and the woman were remaining. Then He spoke with her. I'd like you to reflect on this passage, considering the following questions:

• How did Jesus challenge the men?
• Why did they leave?
• Why did Jesus not judge the woman?
• What did Jesus say to the woman? 
• What does it mean?

     We'll talk more about this in the days to come. I want to end with a reminder today. Remember that we are to "do what is right," "love mercy," and "walk humbly with our God". The three together are our calling. To focus on one disproportionately to the others is to neglect the full meaning. It is only with the Lord's help that we will ever be able to live righteously.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving us Your Word! In it we read of You, and You are in all ways good and righteous. We want to be like You, transformed by Your Word, and conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Will You teach us to love mercy? Will You help us to understand the balance between justice and mercy? Will You enable us to walk humbly with You, trusting You to guide us in each circumstance?

Micah 6:8 - How do I know what is right?

"No, o Israel, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." 

(Micah 6:8 NLT)

"Warning": This is a long post; I didn't want to break your letter into sections!

Hello, Mrs. Kurtz.

     Your blog posts have been very thought provoking, so much that I continue to go back and reread and look into the topics more. I love it! The post on "do what is right," as well as the article you gave me (World Magazine, "No Coddling Allowed", March 03, 2018), have particularly given me a lot to chew on. 

     The idea that I may have a clouded sense of morality based on the culture I'm in is quite frightening. As a Christian, I must begin to confront these long held beliefs of mine to see if they are Biblical. Truth be told, this is something I've been putting off for a while now. The article spoke on this very issue, saying that many believers have "an intellectual fear of not complying to the popular message of tolerance--the fear of being politically incorrect, being countercultural". 

     For this reason I feel I have brushed aside many of the controversial aspects of the Bible, paritcularly those conflicting with modern social issues. I have been focused on being tolerant rather than being Biblical. 

     Now is the time I change that. I need to take a critical look at what the Bible says is right and listen to the Spirit rather than ignoring it in order to be a "friend of the world". 

"You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God". (James 4:4)

     Your article and blog post raised a lot of questions. 

• What does the Bible say about society and "social justice"? 
• How can I have faith that God's way is best, when I have believed things differently for a long time? 
• How can I abandon my old morals/standards? 
• How can I be "countercultural"? 
• Do you have any tips for doing what is right rather than what is comfortable?

    As always, I will continue to be in prayer and in the Word, and hopefully I'll come to terms with a lot of these issues. 

"But if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it." (1 Peter 3:14-15)

Dear friend,

     I rejoice to read your questions and to hear your desire to have the mind of Christ! If I could create a list of questions to ask a believer (new or experienced), I would have a hard time outlining a better one.

• Your questions show the right perspective: you are acknowledging that there is one right way, God's way.
• Your questions demonstrate a correct attitude: you want to discover where your previously-held beliefs conflict with the Word of God.
• You are not looking for excuses; you are searching for the truth.
• Your questions reflect your heart's desire: to know what is right and to do it.

     Here are some thoughts to consider:

The best way to learn what is right is to study the source of all Truth, God's Word. Read it and accept it by faith, even when what you read is difficult or uncomfortable. Read. Study. Ask questions. Read again and again and again. It is "alive and powerful". It will transform you.

"For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the One to whom we are accountable." (Hebrews 4:12-13)

Ask the Lord for help in understanding. The work of the Spirit in you is to help you know the truth.

"When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13)

Immerse yourself in the Word. Spend time with His people. Do not withdraw from the world; you can live in the world without giving into it.

"I have given them Your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I'm not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth. Just as You sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give Myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by Your truth." (John 17: 14-19)

Use Scripture to understand Scripture. In other words, we're back to studying it! The Bible is one unified message, and it is consistent. The more you delve into it, the more all of it will make sense. The more you're in it, the more you will be transformed by it.     

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Heavenly Father, Our deepest desire is to know You and to be like You. Will You guide us as we study? Will You enable us to discern what is truth and what is counterfeit? Thank You for giving us Your Spirit to guide us into the truth!

The "Ancient Words" of the Bible are "ever true".

Micah 6:8 - What is right?

"No, o Israel, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." 

(Micah 6:8 NLT)

Hello, Mrs. Kurtz.
     After some research and reflection, I found further insights. I decided to break the verse down into its three core commands: "Do what is right"
     I am called to be obedient in my actions. God wants me to make decisions based on His Spirit in me, and not my sinful nature. (cont'd)

"Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." (Galatians 5:25 NLT)

Dear friend,

     To "do what is right" is to obey the Lord in action, in word, and in attitude. Many versions of the Bible use the word "justice" here. "Just" is an attribute of God, and He has called us to be like Him in acting with justice. A quick search of the word "justice" on the Bible Gateway website resulted in 173 Biblical references, and offered 31 topics dealing with justice in the Bible. Evidently this is an important topic to the Lord!
     Without making this blog too big, or the topic too scattered, I want to suggest some thoughts, and then return to them at a later time.

1. The three elements listed in Micah 6:8 (do what is right, love mercy, walk humbly) are a package deal. To do one without the others is to be imbalanced. Justice will overcome mercy, pride will misuse justice, mercy will distort justice, etc. You can see this happening in our world today.
2. The three elements also show us the nature of God. He is just, He loves mercy, and He does not act with pride/vanity.

     So, for today I leave you with the question, "What is right?" And, I am going to give you some Scriptures to consider. The passages are long; I'll share only a portion and link you to the full passage.

Genesis 4:1-16 " 'Why are you so angry?' the LORD asked Cain. 'Why do you look so dejected?' You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master'. (vv 6-7)"

*as you read the full passage, be sure to note the mixture of justice and mercy, and that God's response was not a reaction of pride, but rather an invitation back into fellowship with Him. 

Luke 10:25-37 
"The man answered, 'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself'." (v 27)

"'Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by the bandits?' Jesus asked. The man replied, 'The one who showed him mercy.' Then Jesus said, 'Yes, now go and do the same'." (vv 36-37)

*this portion of the passage equates the story with mercy, but remember that in this story, one person acted with justice--he did what was right--in this case, showing mercy.

Romans 12:1-2
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (v 2)

Heavenly Father,
We give ourselves to You today. We want to do what is right, and to accomplish that we need to know what is right. Will You fill us with Your Spirit, teach us from Your Word, and enable us to discern what is right? Without You, our efforts will be corrupted, and our results compromised.

This hymn has long been a favorite; the words convey a desire to live as Micah 6:8 calls us, 

by the empowering and filling of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

Micah 6:8 - Do what is right

"No, o Israel, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." 

(Micah 6:8 NLT)

Hello, Mrs. Kurtz.
     After some research and reflection, I found further insights. I decided to break the verse down into its three core commands: "Do what is right"
     I am called to be obedient in my actions. God wants me to make decisions based on His Spirit in me, and not my sinful nature. (cont'd)

"Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." (Galatians 5:25 NLT)


Dear friend,
     You are correct. To "do what is right" is to be obedient. It is to allow the Spirit within you, and the Word of God (the Bible) with you to guide your life. Even more, it is to surrender your will and your mind to God's view of what is "just" or "right".
     "Social justice" is a rallying cry for people these days. Beware what people want you to do or think in the name of "justice". Does it come from truths of Scripture, or is it a contorted view? What do the calls for "justice" have at their foundation? What are their beliefs about man, about life, about good and evil?
     Not everything labeled as a "just cause" is right in God's eyes. At times it may be difficult to distinguish, and equally difficult to decide how to respond.

It is important that you cling to God's Word and take it fully to heart. 

     "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.
     "Don't copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2 NLT)

     "Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, 'Who can know the Lord's thoughts? Who knows enough to teach Him?' But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:15-16; Isaiah 40:13 NLT)


Heavenly Father, We live in a fallen world, and knowing/doing "what is right" is sometimes hard to discern. Will You transform us and renew our minds? Will You put in us the mind of Christ? We want to live out the high calling in Micah 6:8, yet we know that without You we cannot. Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit to dwell within us and conform us to the image of Christ. 

Keith and Kristyn Getty write hymns, songs that teach the doctrines of our faith. 

In the "Compassion Hymn" they end with a call for believers: 

"How beautiful the feet that carry this gospel of peace to the fields of injustice and the valleys of need--to be a voice of hope and healing, to answer the cries of the hungry and helpless with the mercy of Christ".

Micah 6:8 - Obedience and Attitude

"No, o people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (NLT)

Hello, Mrs. Kurtz.

Micah 6:8 explicitly breaks down what God asks of His followers: "to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

But what does this mean for me? How can I apply this to daily life? (cont'd)

Dear friend,

     What great questions to ask! The Christian life is a daily walk of faith, with untold numbers of choices each day that give us opportunity to apply these three elements: doing what is right, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God. I pray that as you walk through each day this verse will echo in your mind and heart, and that these three principles will guide your decisions.
     Did you notice how the LORD redirected the people's questions? (verses 6-8) They wanted external actions. God challenged their internal attitudes. He asked them to examine their motivations. We must still do that today. 
     In 1 Samuel 15, we read of the tragic decisions that Saul (the first king of Israel) made. Externally he offered sacrifices, and made quite a show of his "religiosity". But Samuel confronted him, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen, obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." (You can read the full account here)
     As we delve into justice, mercy and humility in the coming days, let's use this time to search our hearts, and let's ask the Father to search our hearts and examine our motives. May His Spirit work within us to enable us to think and act like Him.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends You,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life."
(Psalm 139:23-24 NLT)

"For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." (Hebrews 4:12 NLT)

Heavenly Father, we praise You, for You are good. We want to know You, to love You, and to walk in Your ways. Will You search us, and will You transform us into the image of Your Son Jesus?"

Our call to walk in Christ is a call to thrive.

Micah 6:8 - what does the Lord require?

"No, o people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (NLT)

Hello, Mrs. Kurtz.

      I really think that Micah 6:8 is a good verse to start with. I've done some research on the verse and have found some interesting things as well as supplemental verses. I liked your idea of memorizing it, so I have been reading the verse in the morning and before bed and trying to remember it (not just memorizing the words but really pondering its meaning). I remember that you had mentioned that this is one of the most clear cut Biblical references on how to live, and I definitely see that now. I analyzed the verse, and I want to know if I'm on the right track as far as interpreting it? Does the verse mean something different to you? Do you have other suggestions on applying this verse to life? (cont'd)


Hello, Friend.
     I am so glad that you have been studying and memorizing this verse; this is one of the most valuable practices that you can begin in your Christian walk!
     Before we discuss the impact that these verses have, I want to share a little background. Micah was a prophet sent by God. Prophets declared God's words to people; much of Micah is a pronouncement of judgment for sin. The people had forsaken God. Yet, in the midst of judgment, there is a call to return to God. 
     In Micah 6:6-7, the question is posed: what does someone offer to God? What offerings or sacrifices does He desire from a follower? 

Micah gives us the Lord's words in verse 8:

• do what is right;

• love mercy;

• walk humbly with your God.

     So, you are right, my friend. This verse is worth studying, memorizing, praying and living. Over the next several days we'll break it down and study it together.

In the meantime, I am praying for you!

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word. Your Word reveals to us who You are, and we rejoice to read it and to learn to know and love You. We thank you for Your Son, Jesus, who lived and died and rose to life again, fulfilling the call to live found in Micah 6:8. Will You plant this verse deeply in our hearts? By Your Spirit we desire to live according to Your Word as well.

We sang this song when I was a teen in youth group. It has echoed in my heart through all these years. 

I encourage you to memorize Scripture. Music really helps. 

"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (NASB)