Act Justly, Show Mercy and Walk Humbly

He has showed you, O man, 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. (Micah 6:8)

 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. (Zechariah 7:9)

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It has been interesting to hear media reports lately regarding the Christian Church in the world and the transition that many claim to be witnessing. In the past decades, you could divide professing Christians fairly easily between liberals — those who focused on poverty, the environment, social issues, but tended to deny the infallibility and Divine nature of the Scriptures. Many denied the divinity of Christ, His second coming and a literal Heaven and Hell.

On the other side were conservative Christians — who, for the most part, hold to the inerancy of the Scriptures and who follow a literal interpretation; who believe that Christ is God in human flesh- that He died for our sins, arose from the dead and is going to return for His Church in the coming days. They have tended to focus on opposing a  few key moral issues such as homosexual rights, gay  marriage, and abortion. 

It’s true that this is a very simplistic view, as most stereotypes are. People, and groups are much more complex than this, but most of us who claim to believe have associated ourselves with one side or the other.

Today – many conservative Christians, who shunned a focus on poverty and the environment, because of it’s association with liberals who rejected many sacred Scriptural truths — now have come to realize that while keeping our eyes on heaven and the return of our Saviour — we cannot watch as the earth is destroyed by greedy corporations or millions die from Aids, lack of clean water, food or outright genocide.

It is refreshing to see the renewed emphasis on helping those who are suffering and in dire need of the basics of life. Even in our own country — the number of working poor is alarming. I heard today that 42% of single mothers in the United States are living under the poverty level. That means that many children are not getting the nutrition and the basic medical care that they need.

The root of the problem is, of course — sin. Children born out of wedlock — without the benefit of a loving mother/father — Drugs and alcohol that take an unfair share of the small amount available for the family — Greed — companies paying their executives multi-million dollar bonuses, while hard working men and women are barely surviving — Struggle for Power — tyrants and ruthless dictators building their own kingdoms while those within their borders are perishing.

Only  God can change evil hearts and only He can turn on the fountain of compassion and self-sacrifice for others. That’s why we must never stop praying for and sharing the Good News with those who don’t know Christ yet and praying for the Holy Spirit to give us the ‘mind of Christ’.

But — I believe that it is also time for those who claim to walk with God — who are looking daily for the return of the Son of God — who read their Bibles and know that it is the Word of God —

it is time for us to step up to the plate and ‘Act Justly, Show Mercy and Walk Humbly with our God’. 

This means speaking out, in humility, with civility – against corruption and greed. It is immoral to justify multi-million dollar paychecks to build dynasties for the super-rich. It is immoral to pay sports stars many millions of dollars each year while the neighborhood they came from cannot provide a decent education or healthcare for the kids.

It also means being active on behalf of those who need our help — There is no reason that we, as Christ’s true Church,  cannot greatly increase our giving of time, money, expertise and prayers for those that are suffering and dying day after day – without neglecting our own spiritual needs.

You cannot read the scriptures without noticing God’s heart for the widow, the orphan, the poor and needy. When Christ walked the earth — He and the disciples carried a money purse to give funds to those in need.

 Matthew 25 tells us that when Jesus returns and separates the sheep from the goats — He will tell those on His right that they are blessed and to enter His joy because  they fed the poor, ministered to the sick, welcomed the stranger into their home and visited those in prison.

 He said that when they did this to the least of His brethren — they did it to the Lord Himself.

 I believe that our priority is to "Love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, strength and mind." That will keep us focused on righteousness, purity and the spiritual kingdom Christ announced.

Next we are to "Love our neighbors as ourselves" — "Do unto others as we would have them do unto us." — "Do nothing out of selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, consider others as more important than yourself." — "Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ "–“While we have opportunity, let us do good to all men; especially to those of the body of Christ”.

The greatest need our neighbors have is to know the Lord — because their eternal destination depends on it. The next thing they need is food, water, safety, shelter, medicine and a caring friend who will be there to help in the time of need.

Hate the sin — love the sinner.  Never forget where we came from.

"For God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners — Christ died for us"

We have a great example — let’s find a way to make a difference! Want a simple place to start? Adopt a needy child through World Vision — Send a check to Salvation Army, Mercy Corp, your local food bank. Volunteer to visit the elderly at a local nursing home. Contact Prison Fellowship and see how you can help with prisoners or their children. There are so many opportunities — and you will be blessed both now and in eternity.

Keep looking up!

 

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