Blog post: Measuring Up To What the Lord Requires

Because Matthew 5 outlines the lifestyle that Jesus expects of his followers, it has been called "the Constitution of Christ's Kingdom."
God's desires for us, as expressed in Micah 5:6, are often opposite to those held by the world.
The Beatitudes describe the lifestyle that Jesus expects of his followers.
Christians must be committed to spiritual growth and avoid becoming "petrified" in their faith.

What does God want to say to us today through Micah 6:8?

Commentary on Micah 6:8

"What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God" -- Micah 6:8

Week 25 (June)

I remember a visit some years ago with Piera, a former Italian Christian. She said to me, with a sophisticated air, "When I was young I was really active in the church youth group at Florence. But I'm beyond all that now."

Obviously, Piera had not left the Kingdom to catch up with the world but had rather slid back into its traps.

Of, course, the world does often view us as "backward." And once in a while, we have warned each other about the dangers of "trying to keep up with the world."

But the truth is, the world has not caught up with the ideals and requirements of the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount.

In Matthew 5, Jesus reminds us that God's values are often the reverse of those held by the world. The verses call forth so clearly the kind of lifestyle Jesus expects of His followers. Rewards abound to those who exhibit Beatitude characteristics.

Matthew 5 has been called "the Constitution of Christ's Kingdom."

Here, we are shown how we can have the privilege of being in Christ's kingdom and reigning with Him -- a privilege human beings lost through disobedience. We are, of course, created to reign with Christ. However, Adam and Eve sought to rule in their own way and in that way became slaves to sin. There, in the Garden of Eden, the human race fell. It did not rise as Piera seemed to think.

What application does this Bible passage have to my life today? First, it reminds me of attitudes and actions that are just as important as the principles found in the Ten Commandments given in Exodus 20.

How does my life measure up to the Kingdom standards of meekness, humility, mercy, peacemaking, and the longing to be filled with righteousness? Is my lifestyle truly a "beatitude lifestyle"?

Occasionally, some have facetiously said that the third work of grace is being "petrified." That is just not so. We can be saved and sanctified and still have lots of room to grow in the measure of Beatitudes.

One of the joys of discipling new Christians is watching them take giant forward leaps in spiritual maturity. That kind of progress is less visible -- and, unfortunately, even sometimes non-existent -- in the lives of Christians who have been in the faith for a while.

We must feel challenged to fear "spiritual petrification" almost as much as outright sin itself. Let's be committed to letting the Holy Spirit use Matthew 5 to help us formulate and, with His power, carry out some self-improvement plans designed to make us better citizens of Christ's Kingdom.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6).

Reflection Questions

What are the core values of God's Kingdom, and how do they differ from those of the world?
How do the Beatitudes describe the lifestyle that Jesus expects of his followers? What rewards are promised to those who exhibit Beatitude characteristics?
How do spiritual growth and avoiding "petrification" relate to living a Beatitude lifestyle? Why is it important for Christians to remain committed to growth?
How can Micah 6:8 help us to live a Beatitude lifestyle? How would you describe what it means to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?"
How can we use the "Constitution of Christ's Kingdom" (Matthew 5) to become better citizens of Christ's Kingdom?

I wrote this devotional blog post when Barbara and I were serving as missionaries in Italy. It originally appeared in Standard, a Faith Connections take-home curriculum piece for adult Sunday school classes published by The Foundry.

-- Howard Culbertson,

Afterword: Five ways that Micah 6:8 is relevant to us

Micah 6:8 says, "He has shown you, O mortal, 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."

Those words from the Old Testament are relevant for us for at least five reasons:

Micah 6:8 provides a concise summary of ethical principles that are universally valued across cultural boundaries and many belief systems. Acting justly, showing mercy, and practicing humility are virtues that will help create compassionate and equitable societies.
In a world where social injustice is prevalent, the call to "act justly" reminds us of our responsibility to pursue fairness and equality for all members of society. This would include confronting issues like poverty, discrimination, and oppression.
The injunction to "love mercy" calls us to show kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. In a world torn by division and conflict, practicing mercy can bring about healing and reconciliation.
Walking humbly will help us to live with a sense of modesty, openness, and willingness to learn. This can lead us to personal growth, deeper connections with other people, and a greater sense of spiritual fulfillment.
Some interpretations of Micah 6:8 extend the principle of humility to include reverence for the natural world and a responsibility to care for the environment. Caring for Creation is in line with current concerns about sustainability and ecological stewardship. (more on caring for Creation

In short, Micah 6:8 sets forth some values that will contribute to a just, compassionate, and spiritually fulfilling life. That makes this verse super relevant for our day.

Memorable Quotes About Micah 6:8

“Micah 6:8 is not a suggestion. It is a requirement from God, and it gives us a clear, succinct summary of how to live a faithful life.” — Tim Keller, from a sermon series on justice, Redeemer Presbyterian Church
“Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly. That is the trinity of the moral life in one verse.” — Cornel West in Democracy Matters
“Micah 6:8 is the Magna Carta of prophetic religion. It distills religion into moral obligation: justice, mercy, humility.” — Abraham Joshua Heschel, in The Prophets
“The prophet Micah was not interested in religious ritual divorced from ethical behavior. For him, justice and mercy were the true liturgy.” -- — Walter Brueggemann, in The Prophetic Imagination
“Micah 6:8 is not merely a verse to be quoted; it is a life to be lived.” — Beth Moore, teaching on Micah during Living Proof Live Conference
“To act justly is to pursue fairness for others, to love mercy is to care deeply for the vulnerable, and to walk humbly is to recognize that we are not God.” — N.T. Wright, in God in Public: How the Bible Speaks Truth to Power Today

Memorable Quotes About Other Bible Verses

Humility