And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Mic. 6:8)
Occasionally I like taking on the role of being a chef and cooking sweet and sour pork for my family. The batter for the “porkies” requires three key ingredients: flour, eggs, and salt. One time, when I was in a rush, I forgot to add the salt. When I mixed up what was in the bowl, it looked fine. Even after I had cooked them in hot oil, the porkies looked yummy and ready to eat. However, when I sampled them, they tasted horrible.
The Lord tells us in Micah 6:8 that there are three required “ingredients” that need to be included when we are following him. The first ingredient is to act justly, which includes protecting the weak and standing up for what is right.
The second ingredient is to love mercy, which is being kind and gracious to others. One pastor put it this way. “When we are merciful, we respond to hurts in people’s lives without deepening their wounds. It involves forgiving those who do you wrong.”
The third ingredient is walking humbly with God. In my journal are these words, which were preached by a pastor friend of mine: “Being humble involves discounting all concern for rank and privilege and being willing to serve others. It is to accept all, serve all and prefer all, in Jesus’ name.”
Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
Jim “Umfundisi” Lo is a professor at Indiana Wesleyan University, cross-cultural leader, intercessor, and author of several books published by Wesleyan Publishing House.
© 2023 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
