"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 verse has been running through my mind all day today, so I am sharing it here. It must have a purpose. Things can get out of hand so quickly, and we all need to be reminded of God's word vs. our own nature. Myself included, believe me!
Please read the rest of Micah 6: 9-16 and then chapter 7 as well.
"Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression...You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be true to Jacob and show mercy to Abraham, as you pledged an oath to our fathers in days long ago." (7:18-20)
Obviously in the rest of the scriptures it talks of some of the consequences of sin. So, this does not mean we have to overlook sin, God does want it dealt with, but there are requirements in how that is handled by us. To act JUSTLY (do what's right) and to love mercy (extend grace and pray for changes within the heart, which leads to repentance) and finally to walk humbly with our God (letting Him lead; doing nothing that would shame Him or that you wouldn't do if you were physically in His presence). A great and timely lesson.
28 comments:
Further commentary:
I studied more about this scripture in a handbook I enjoy titled "What the Bible is All About". If you care to read, I have quoted from this book regarding these scriptures below:
"The prophet (Micah) denounced the social sins of his day (2:2). He saw the unfair treatment of the poor by the rich. He felt that these sins cried up to Heaven. No class was free from corrupting influences; princes, priests and people alike were all affected (2:2,8-9,11; 3:1-3,5,11).
Micah wanted people to know that every cruel act to one's fellow citizen was an insult to God. God is offended by the conduct of the people and rulers. In spite of the state of things, people tried to carry on their own religious observances. Micah knew the uselessness of all this (6:7-8)
Israel would not heed the warnings of the prophets. Judah did and was spared for 150 years. Micah knew that national sins would lead to national downfall. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Prov. 14:34)
Micah 1-2 - message to the people concerning Israel's sin
Micah 3-5 - Concerning the coming Christ
*Micah 6-7 - message to the chosen people concerning God's argument
"Hear, O mountains, the Lord's accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the Lord has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel" Micah 6:2
God is pictured as one bringing a lawsuit against His people.
They had ignored God He told them to remember how good he had been to them and how He had kept His covenant with them (6:3)The people wanted to give burnt offerings now to try and please God (6:6-7).
Sometimes we try to get back in the good graces of God by doing some service or some worldly, instead of spiritual things.
But remember, "the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart... Psalm 51:17)
Because of unrighteous conduct, the people had to suffer unbelievable consequences. God is a righteous Judge (Micah 1:3,5; 3:12)Paul tells us what to do in return for God's mercies(Romans 12:1-2). The best way to get back into God's graces is to accept God's grace.
He wants this spirit of Christ to be lived out in our daily lives and to be exhibited in all of our conduct. In Matthew 23:23, he equated faith with walking humbly with our God."
Tiffany,
You are to be commended for having a blog that has genuine spirituality to it. Unlike the others I read, you will be blessed.
Keep up the good work! Your testimony gives validity to your posts.
Why is it that there are so few comments when you write something Godly and spiritual?
Have we become a group of believers who prefer to read dirt, slander, and garbage written by anonymous bloggers? Methinks it is so.
In my case, I read the post and the comments. No one needs correction and the post is clear. Thus no further comments are needed. See what happened when you made a comment that needed discussion and correction. :)
Bennett Willis
"Have we become a group of believers who prefer to read dirt, slander, and garbage written by anonymous bloggers? Methinks it is so.
May 5, 2009 7:54 AM"
Anon would you please reveal to us the dirt,slander and garbage that we prefer to blog about! That will enable us to respond!
Let's see:
Try the woman's blog in Memphis and Tom Rich's blogs for starters.
When you get done with that, let me know and I can give you some more.
Well Anon what facts given by Mr.Rich do you consider to be dirt,slander and garbage?
Just go back and read his blog posts about Mac Brunson, his wife, and son. His accusations and names called go beyond the realm of what is right. Anyone in their right mind can tell that if they just read Tom Rich's posts. Regardless of what he thinks Mac did or didn't do, he has no right to call him the names he called him and spread the rumors he spread.
Bro. Rod,
While this "anon" seems to fit the definition of a troll, please continue to demand copy/paste/linked documentation. If the issue is as clear as the troll thinks, it should only take a few minutes.
There were not many comments on the very nicely titled post anyhow. :)
Bennett Willis
Anon I have read literally all of WD post.There were some unfortunate analogies used by both Mac and WD supporters.But that aside what about the allegations WD bought to light concrning some of Mac and his administration actions.Are any of them in your view note worthy?
Unfortunate analogies"... What a farce. Tom Rich got exactly what he deserved. The church should have put him out long before they did--and would have if he had had the integrity of publishing his real name on his blog.
Just so you don't think I am biased, I do think FBC, Jax has handled the situation badly. They should have found out his identity on their own (and it shouldn't have been too hard) and then promptly removed him and his family from their fellowship. Maybe we should make Mac give back the land to pay for his misdeeds.
"Just so you don't think I am biased,"
Yes Anon I do believe you are biased! There appears to be in all of your comments a distain for Tom!Number one Mac has the greater responsibility do to the fact he is the Leader(Pastor),"To whom much is given,much is required"!(2)They use allegeded lies and false charges(later proven by investigation)to find out who Mr.Rich was.(3)Once finding out his identity,do you think that because Mac as the leader and the supposed greater "servant" should have called Tom and tried to seek reconciliation with his supposed mis-guided brother?(4)Since Christ is the embodiment of what "TRUTH" is,do you think a Church that supposedly represents Christ should be "Transparent"?[2Cor.4:1-2] (5)"Maybe we should make Mac give back the land to pay for his misdeeds." Mac has far greater issues than just accepting land gifts,that is just one of the symptoms of greater internal character problems!
Rod,
Are you a member of FBC, Jax?
Thanks to Tiffany Croft for the scripture she posts in her blog. For trying to really figure out spiritually where to stand on these issues. Some people can see it even if others cannot. For trying to go by the BIBLE.
" Anonymous said...
Rod,
Are you a member of FBC, Jax?
May 6, 2009 10:24 AM"
No I am not.
The implication seems to be (based on some comments above) that if a person is critical of the church organization they have been a member of for 20 years--then they should be thrown out.
Were this policy rigorously followed across our lives, who among us would have a job? Or friends? Or spouse?
I still have not seen specific issues with WD's commentary on life in FBCJ. And my apoligies to Ms. Croft for getting into this discussion on her blog comment thread. I won't do it again--on this comment line. :)
Bennett Willis
Tiffany,
The parallels between Israel and the church today are alarming. We are doing the exact same things that the prophets warned and rebuked Israel for doing. There is nothing new under the sun and God never changes. He still hates injustice.
What we fail to see is how depraved we really are. There would be NO hope for any of us if not for the Sacrifice of Christ.
However, His sacrfice is not a license for continuing to be like Israel as Hebrews 10:26-21 clearly teach.
Just go back and read his blog posts about Mac Brunson, his wife, and son. His accusations and names called go beyond the realm of what is right. Anyone in their right mind can tell that if they just read Tom Rich's posts. Regardless of what he thinks Mac did or didn't do, he has no right to call him the names he called him and spread the rumors he spread.
May 5, 2009 5:40 PM
I went and read them over a period of a week. Please give specific examples of name calling of Brunson, wife and son. Also list rumors, please.
Not questions but rumors. Thanks.
Mark
What translation of the Bible are you reading from? Do you not realize that Micah is prophesying about the destruction of Isreal in 722 B.C? Are you saying that Jacksonville/America will be destroyed within a generation? Are you claiming to be a prophetess equal to Micah or are you just interpreting scripture to fit your own personal needs?
Anon: You ask: "What translation of the Bible are you reading from?"
My response is - it would be the HOLY ONE - the Bible. God gave it to all of us as a guide and example to live by - which means we are to examine the scriptures and apply them.
Your statement "are you just interpreting scripture to fit your own personal needs?"
There are no personal needs to be met here, actually it was given as an admonishment of sorts, to remind us to think about what we say and do based on the Lord's requirements to "act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God." Straight from scriptures, just because it was given during the destruction of Israel does not mean it does not apply to us. Or do you disagree?
If you do, then I guess the whole sacrifice of the Holy Lamb (that Lin so aptly mentioned) should not be applied to us sinners either because of the time period in which it occured and the context...which doesn't make sense, surely you don't think so either.
Obviously people do misuse and wrongly apply scriptures such as the now famous "touch not thine annointed" that Pastor Gilyard was known for procliming and teaching. This would be considered to twist and interpret scripture to fit one's own personal needs/sin.
As to your statement: "Are you saying that Jacksonville/America will be destroyed within a generation?"
Please tell me where Lin said anything anywhere near this? I have read it and reread it - she speaks of modern day churches in comparison to the corruption that was holding Israel. Would you disagree that on many levels we are living just as the prophets of old said it would be? I simply do not understand your responses.
And then you say: "Are you claiming to be a prophetess equal to Micah...?"
Seriously sir/ma'am isn't that a stretch? What is your definition of prophetess, because if to you it is defined by reading and applying scriptures in comparison to God's great mercy on us as Lin so wisely reminds us, then I guess it would apply.
(Lin) "There is nothing new under the sun and God never changes. He still hates injustice.
What we fail to see is how depraved we really are. There would be NO hope for any of us if not for the Sacrifice of Christ."
Sounds like sound words to me...how about you? Maybe you took it wrong and out of context, if so please say so.
Would these preachers go to a small church if "God Called" and take what many of these small pastors receive as compensation or incentive packages? -
No Way! Guaranteed!
This is not your daddies church, Mafia Boy Lovers - Many are now Standing up for Jesus and his (Christ) Kingdom
Change, Repent or be Exposed - the new motto for us - the true believers!
Thank you for clarifiying your understanding of Micah.
Micah is a very poweful book. Micah predicted ruin for all nations and leaders who were oppressive towards others. This main theme or purpose of Micah should never be taken lightly. If your handbook "What the Bible is All About" does not address the seriousness of Micah then I would suggest you find a different source of commentary and/or a translation of the Bible.
There are plenty of other scriptures that you could have used to call for justice and mercy. However, you used Mica and with what is going on with today's churches (eschatology) I wanted to know if you understood the full implications of Mica. It now seems that you simply stumbled accross some key words and phrases that touched you at that moment instead of a presentiment of thought. I understand how people can think I am out of line for asking the direct question, "are you claiming to be a prophetess equal to Mica". However this was done in order to preserve the proper respect for the book of Mica due to the times that we live in. If you beleive like me that we are living in the end times I don't think the question was out of line.
Truth:
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His day's are numbered....there will be news to report soon. Pray for all involved.
His twitter page is in a "does not exist" status again. I guess he saw the post.
We are the church...He was and is wrong, but we are teh church and if you can not get forgiveness from the church then what are we preaching for...is there hope in the pews for whomever....yes even the man/woman of God.....we are not talking about right/wrong because we know the answer.....but what about grace and mercy....dont let y our teenager be around him but he is still a man of GOD....
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