Micah 6, 2 Timothy 3

Micah 6

I think so many times in our lives we get side-tracked by what we think we should be doing (or be all about) and what scripture actually says is important to God. No place is this seen more than when we try to do good. What is good? I think most Christians would answer that with something to do with religious practice or tradition. Sadly enough, I bet if we were to interview non-believers, they’d come closer to answering it more biblically.

Micah gives us some insight to those who call themselves followers of God: “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?” – Micah 6:8

Hebrew is an incredible language. The word “good” comes from a Hebrew word that means beautiful, best, and bountiful. There is so much meaning in those three representative words. Scripture is telling us that the following list of things required of us are not only best, but they are fruitful and beautiful in the eyes of our God: That we live out and defend justice, that we show kindness (mercy), and we walk humbly with God.

I love that the word kindness (mercy in NIV) comes from a Hebrew word that implies that the mercy is manifest through good deeds. So it’s an action, not just an emotion or feeling.

What a sweet list of things God desires for us. God, as we seek to honor you and to live out “goodness” in our lives, may we not only find strength in your justice, kindness, and relationship but also contentment, love, peace and joy. Thank you Lord, for that privilege.

2 Timothy 3

Verse 7 gives us a reminder and warning about the blind spots of religion. One is very significant because it has the appearance of Godliness but falls short of realizing it’s truth. Paul writes, “They are… always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.”

I think there are at least two lessons I’m reminded of in this scripture. The first is that sometimes when we seek to understand completely and make our spiritual journey intellectual, that search for knowledge can literally get in the way of us finding Christ. So easily knowledge becomes our God.

The second is more challenging to me as a believer, verse 16 goes on to describe the significance of God’s word and it’s teaching, verse 17 wraps it up saying that it’s purpose… “so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every GOOD WORK.”
For those of us who have had the thrill, honor, privilege (the list goes on and on) of already finding a faith in Christ, have we allowed ourselves to slip back into “always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth”? If the purpose of God’s word is to equip us for good work, then have we fallen short of acknowledging that truth if we sit idly by as believers and ignore injustice, needs, and hurt in our community and world?

I think it’s a resounding yes.

God, may we be ever-increasingly aware and concerned for the good work you have for us to do. May we choose daily to deny ourselves and grow in the knowledge of your truth that we might DO and trust what it says. I thank you God that the most fulfilling, personal rewarding, and nourishing acts we can do as believers are these things that are not natural to man. God, continue to mold us through our trials, sufferings, and victories that we might become more and more like Christ.