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.