Religion specifies ways in which people may find acceptance by God. People have a tendency to focus on the outward manifestations of religious practices rather than making the inner changes that enable them to be justified by God. This was the dilemma the nation of Israel experienced, they had a veneer of religious practices, but inwardly their heart was far from God. The prophet Micah expressed the speculations of a hypothetical worshiper:

With what shall I come to the LORD and bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? (Micah 6:6-7)

Micah echoed the words of Samuel as he pointed out the necessity of obedience:

Samuel said, “Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22)

Micah then replied with a brief synopsis of the Law:

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)

God’s requirements are not hidden, but they are revealed to us through His word. These are not the requirements for salvation, but they portray the behavior of God’s covenant people. This is the fruit, not the root, of one’s belief. Our faith is revealed through our actions. Micah identified three behaviors of God’s people:

Do justice – we are to be ethical in all aspects of our lives. Justice is a prominent theme in the book of Micah. This word emphasizes fairness in disputes and overcoming injustice.

Love mercy – we are to be considerate of others, especially when justice has not been done. This concept pictures God’s unconditional love and kindness and speaks of His relationship and covenant obligation.

Walk humbly with our God – we are to have a personal relationship with God. To walk humbly is to live by faith, for faith reveals our dependence on God and is the antithesis of pride. Pride seeks to exalt oneself, whereas faith seeks to exalt God. Humility is that virtue required of those who are faithful followers of our Lord

Jesus modeled these behaviors and then reiterated Micah’s teaching:

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. (Matthew 23:23)

Micah’s teaching provides the foundation of pure and undefiled religion:

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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