The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1958-07-03
0 n cite
TRUE RELIGION
Micah 6:6-8


day were very religious. They
practiced the rital that had been
prescribed for them. They faith
fully brought their burnt offer
ings and sacrifices to the place
of worship. Yet we notice that
something was lacking. They did
not meet Gods approval. Their
religion did not influence them
| in their conduct and dealings
with their fellowmen. They had
form of godliness, but no pow
er. Their religion was lifelesS.
God requires more than an
external, superficial act of wor-
ship. The religion that is pleas
ing to God affects the whole life
of the individual. 1t is not only
practiced on certain holy days,
but every day. 1t is seen in per
sonal walk with God and a con-
Germ for others.
Jesus summary or the ten
commandments is: Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all
Thy heart, and with all thy
strength, and with all thy mind;
and thy neighbor as thyself"
(Luke 10:27. In our text we see
| that it is 'to do justly, and to
| love mercy, and to walk humbly
with thy God
Today, the one who is obedient
to the will of God is known as a
Christian. The principle set forth
IN Micah is to be observed by
Gods people at all times. Jesus
stressed it in his rebuke of the
scribes and PhariseeS Matthew
1929. The Holy Spirit directed
James in his letter to the Chris
tians to practice it DANES l:20.
ITO do justly means to be
fair and honest in everything we
do. A practicing Christian will
not take unfair advantage of
another in order to further his
own position or possessions. He
will not be guilty of depressing
those who are in need or can
not help themselves. His acts
will not be motivated by greed
or avarice.
ITO love mercy" is just the
opposite attitude of Shylock's
pound of flesh" 1t is not going
the limit in demanding what is
ours, if it hurts another. 1t is
real desire to do good to others.
The words love mercy carry
the thought of finding delight in
mercy, to be glad for opportuni
ties to practice it. The Christian
who lives his faith will be con-
siderate of others, sympathetic,
and beneficient
ITO walk humbly with thy
God" is an exercise of passive
and active obedience toward God.
He who so lives will be conform
ed to His will There will be
constant prayer and watchful-
ness, depending entirely upon
God. There will be a continual
desire to please Him. "Humbly''
reminds US that such a walk is
not realized in the energy of the
flesh. In Second Timothy 2:l5
the Christian is exhorted to
''study to shew thyself approved
unto God, a workman that need
eth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth.
Another has summed up the
thoughts of our text by remind
ing US that ''to give God little
more money on an offering plate,
or to purpose to pray little bit
more, or even to read more OF
the Word of God, to plan more
faithful attendance upon the
service of God in the sanctuary |
all these good things, right |
and worthy in their place-are !
no substitute for obedience to
the known will of God. 1t is still |
true, To obey is better than |
sacrifice. and to hearken than
the fat of rams.
Pardon for sin and favor with
God are not obtained by religious
exercise. We are told that we
are to repent and do works meet
for repentance. That is, we are
to turn from all that is against
the will of God and show 1t by
our daily living.
We do not propose, God has
already revealed His will. The
terms are already settled and
laid down (verse 81. If our at
titudes and acts are not right,
our most costly service would be
in vain. Roy E. Wikander
!