What Does God Require of Us?

Micah 6:8
"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."

I know many people ponder the question "What does God really expect from me?" I heard a great sermon by the senior pastor of my church that really helped answer this question. People usually fall into one of two categories. The first being that God doesn't expect much of us. The second being that God requests more than we can give (never really understand grace). Neither one of these is true. To help everyone better understand what God does require of us here are three main characteristics. Use these to check yourself and see if you are living up to what is required of you.

First, we must have a Reverent Attitude. We must walk humbly with God. I looked up the word reverent in the dictionary and it says, "feeling, exhibiting, or characterized by reverence; deeply respectful." I think the key here is it is not only an outward action and how you act when others are looking. Are you reverent to God when no one is looking as well? Pastor Steve posed the question, "How's your attitude?" He said that 95% of reverence is attitude and the other 5% is action. You will be ineffective for Christ if you have a bad attitude.

Secondly, do we love the things that God loves? Are those things what are important to you? Do you impart mercy, and it should be ongoing (not just every once in awhile) just like our Lord does.

Micah 7:18 "Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy."

Lastly, we must do what is right (to do justly). Do you have a righteous walk and a lifestyle of truth? If you sow the seeds of dishonesty that is what you will reap. A small example would be if you were given more change back than you should have received at the bank...what would you do? Would you be honest and return it, or would you think it was your lucky day and keep it? This very thing has happened to me in stores before and when I return the money they are always surprised. Amazing...this is what we should do, yet, all too often people sow their dishonest seeds.

If you are consistently doing these three things then you are doing what God requires of you! Girlfriends, I pray that you have a reverent attitude, love the things that God loves, and do what is right. If you feel you are having trouble in any of these areas, simply pray and ask God for help and guidance in doing these things. He loves you deeply and wants only the best for you!