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.