[The text below represents an edited transcript this Tomorrow’s World program.]

What Helps You Draw Near to God?

We live in a world of religious confusion. There is no end to the bizarre list of traditions that have developed as a means to honor some concept of the divine. Fire-walking. Prayer wheels. Leaving food at gravestones. Tattoos—yes, tattoos originally had religious meaning in pagan cultures. And by the way, did you know that God specifically forbade His people from getting cuttings in their flesh or getting tattoos on their bodies? That’s found in Leviticus 19:28.

Some traditions are more bizarre and even deadly. In parts of India, before the British rule, a widow was expected to throw herself onto the burning corpse of their dead husband, in a tradition called “sati.” The British banned this cruel and barbaric custom in 1829.

But even within the professing Christian religion, there is a wide variety of beliefs of what God expects of us. How can this be when it all supposedly came from one source, Jesus Christ?

And more specifically, how can you know what God expects of you? This is an important question that we’ll answer today on Tomorrow’s World. Type those words into a Google search, and you’ll get all sorts of answers.

In the professing Christian world, most people believe that God generally wants you to be kind to others, have compassion, and accept His love. Or some variation of that. Some churches teach that God expects His people to engage in devotional practices such as praying the rosary, reciting the so-called Lord’s Prayer and repeating Hail Marys.

Some believe that the only REAL religious people are the clergy or priests. They believe that the average person just should “leave religion to the experts,” so to speak. But is that true? To be serious about pleasing God, do you have to go to a seminary or get a degree in theology?

Answers in the Book of Micah

All of this can be very confusing. But God’s word actually cuts through the confusion and gives us clear and straightforward answers to these questions. It’s not up to every man to decide for himself. It’s not about our opinions or our imagination. The Bible provides the answer.

The prophet Micah was born over 700 years before Christ. He was a prophet in ancient Judah, who fulfilled his role from about 757 to 699 BC (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary). In a previous telecast, entitled “The Surprising Message of Micah the Prophet,” I touched on the book that bears his name, and the message it holds for our generation.

For the sake of our discussion today, I want to key in one passage that Micah wrote. He addresses our question today, “What does God expect of you?” Let’s pick it up in Micah 6:6.

“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, ten thousand rivers of oil?” (Micah 6:6–7).

God had originally given the Israelites the sacrificial system. But other scriptures in the Old Testament show that He never just wanted them to slaughter animals to please Him. He wanted them to learn and understand true obedience from the heart, to learn to love Him and worship Him.

Pagan Practices God Hates

Notice what else He said, going on in Micah 6:7.

“Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

This was not a concept Micah just pulled out of His imagination. Certain apostate kings in Judah had sacrificed their own children. But God never intended that as a requirement to serve Him. It was actually a practice that had been common among the people of the land prior to the children of Israel entering Canaan. But notice what God said about that. This is found in Jeremiah 19:3.

Hear the word of the Lord, O kings of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will bring such a catastrophe on this place, that whoever hears of it, his ears will tingle. Because they have forsaken Me and made this an alien place, because they… filled this place with the blood of the innocents (they have also built the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or speak, nor did it come into My mind)” (Jeremiah 19:3–5).

Judah had fallen into the pagan practice of sacrificing their own children. This was a practice that God said He never commanded—it didn’t even come into His mind that He would require them to do such a thing.

And notice, it was part of what caused the downfall of the nation. That should give us pause, if we are living in Western nations that have allowed the systematic murder of unborn babies for decades.

No, God never intended to require that of His servants.

What Does the Lord Require of You? Micah 6:8 Explained

But what does He require? Let’s go back to Micah to find out. Micah answers his own question.

He has shown you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8)?

Sometimes we can make serving God much more complicated than it is. Micah is saying that the intent of God has always been very simple. Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God.

I think back in my own life, during a period of trials and questioning in my own life. And a dear friend reminded me of this passage. It helped give me clarity and focus. I found it extremely encouraging.

And I hope this message can be encouraging to you as well. God’s way is not complicated. It’s actually very straightforward if we are willing to have an open mind and really listen to what God says.

Actually, we find the general equivalent to what Micah said in the New Testament as well. It was spoken by Jesus Christ. We find it in Matthew 23.

Jesus was correcting the hypocritical Pharisees who had made the worship of the true God a confusing burden for the common people. Jesus sought to cut through the clutter about God’s law that the Pharisees had created, and bring clarity and focus. Notice what He said in Matthew 23:23.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”

Notice that Jesus didn’t tell them they were wrong to tithe on the increase of their produce, no matter how small. God does want us to show our loyalty to Him, even in how we manage our finances. And that includes tithing. But the point Jesus was making was that while they were taking great pains to tithe on tiny sprigs of herbs from their garden, they were missing the big picture.

Isn’t that an admonition for us today? As we meticulously practice what we’ve been taught by our parents or grandparents—some of which may be accurate and good—could we still be missing the big picture of what Christ really wants us to learn?

Jesus explained that the WEIGHTIER matters of the law are “justice, mercy and faith.” This is not an exact restatement of Micah 6:8, but it’s close enough to say it’s pretty obvious Jesus was making a reference to Micah’s writings. In fact, in my Bible, there is a marginal reference here of Micah 6:8.

How to “Do Justly”

So, let’s now look at the first part of the answer. What does God expect of you?

1. Do justly.

What does that mean? Well, let’s look at the phrase: “Do justly.” “Justly” is translated from the Hebrew word mishpat, which is a far-reaching word used many times in the Hebrew Scriptures. It can refer to “judgment, justice, ordinance, law, decision, or right.” In the strictest sense it can mean being fair and honest in all dealings with others. But in a broader sense it refers to just doing what’s right.

In God’s instructions to the ancient Israelites, He placed great emphasis on building a society based on the rule of law—His law, encoded in the Ten Commandments. Let’s look at one place where this word is used. It’s found in Exodus 23:6.

You shall not pervert the judgment [or mishpat] of your poor in his dispute. Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked. And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous (Exodus 23:6–8).

God knew that if a society was built based on His good and just laws, harmony would be the result. But if people cheated one another, and justice wasn’t applied fairly, it would end in disaster.

In the introduction to this program, I referred to God’s directive to not have cuttings or tattoo marks in your flesh. That’s found in Leviticus 19:28. But the whole chapter discusses the importance of exercising fairness and justice in all their dealings. Notice a few of them (Leviticus 19:11).

You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.

Here’s another one (Leviticus 19:13).

You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning.

Here’s another reference in Leviticus 19:15.

You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.

It’s about conducting ourselves in our community in a fair and equitable way, according to God’s law. And here’s another one.

You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume. You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt (Leviticus 19:35–36).

Notice—something so mundane and ordinary as having consistent weights and measures in commerce. Why? Because God knows that if everybody knows everyone is playing by the same rules, it breeds cooperation and harmony and peace. If some people get an advantage based on who they are, or how much money they have, or who they’re connected to, it breeds discontent and anarchy. Summing it up, God said:

Therefore you shall observe all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them: I am the Lord (Leviticus 19:37).

So what about you and me? What does this mean for us?

Micah 6:8 says “doing justly” is something God looks for in men and women of faith. God wants us to have the strength of character to do the right thing even when no one is looking.

Are we honest? Do we back up our word? Are we fair in our dealings with our children or grandchildren?

Children are keenly aware of inconsistencies when it comes to the conduct of their parents. Our children know it if we shade the truth, if we behave one way to the world but differently in private. That’s called hypocrisy.

It’s interesting that Jesus also taught “doing justice” when correcting the Pharisees. They were hypocrites. They acted like they were righteous, but their behavior was exactly the opposite, [as] Jesus told the crowds, when referring to the Pharisees.

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do” (Matthew 23:1–3).

What a sad commentary on the example of the Pharisees. That should be a wake-up call to us. God wants us to be lights to the world. Jesus called His disciples “the salt of the earth.” He wants us to set a good example in our conduct and behavior. That starts in our homes, with our husband or wife, our children or grandchildren. Letting our conduct be what is fitting for someone who calls themselves a Christian.

That is the message of Micah 6:8, as echoed by Jesus Christ Himself. It’s not complicated. It’s doing the right thing because it’s the right thing to do, based on God’s law. It’s “doing justly.”

How to Love Mercy

What’s the next item? Again, Micah 6:8.

He has shown you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

2. Love mercy.

This is echoed in Christ’s words as well. As we read before, Jesus said in Matthew 23:23 that the weightier matters of the law are “justice, mercy, and faith.”

Some take “mercy” to mean not being judgmental of bad behavior, as if any conduct is ok. Their slogan is “Don’t judge me,” even if their behavior is arrogant or vulgar. But notice what Christ said in Luke 6:37.

Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Frankly, Christ made a moral judgment when He called out the Pharisees’ hypocritical behavior. What He’s telling us here is we must avoid condemning others. Every human being is made in the image of God, and Christ died for every single one of us.

What God is looking for in us is a merciful spirit toward others, as opposed to a vengeful spirit. But think about it. We can get caught up the emotion of a hero bringing down the villain. But often it’s only about personal vengeance, which is the exact opposite of what God wants us to do. Turn to Hebrews 10:30.

For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

There are some people who have lived for years with vengeance in their hearts, with unresolved grudges. Maybe they don’t want to forgive because they feel that would condone the bad behavior that was done. But forgiveness and mercy don’t make bad conduct somehow ok. They just release the grudge. They say, “God, You take care of it.”

We need mercy from God. Notice in Matthew 6:14.

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14–15).

That’s serious. We have all sinned, and we need God’s forgiveness. But if we aren’t willing to forgive one another, we won’t be forgiven by God.

So again, one of the fundamental things that God expects from us, as explained by Micah—and reinforced by our Savior, Jesus Christ—is love mercy.

How to Walk Humbly With Your God

So what’s the third element to knowing what God expects of us? Back to Micah 6:8.

He has shown you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

3. Walk humbly with your God.

As we noted earlier, Jesus essentially echoed Micah 6:8 in Matthew 23:23. But in regard to this third item, He worded it differently. Let’s notice Matthew 23:23, “justice, mercy, and faith.”

So, Micah says “walk humbly” and Jesus says “have faith.” Which is it? Well, maybe it’s not one or the other, but what they mean together.

Humility is not something highly prized in this world—we see that in entertainment and the media—but it is of great value to God. In fact, when we think of what does God expect of us, Isaiah 66 gives us powerful insight. Notice Isaiah 66:2.

On this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.

If we humble ourselves, approach God’s word with awe and respect, that attracts God’s attention. But what does that have to do with the faith that Jesus described? I think the account of the Centurion’s servant sheds light on that. You probably know the story.

Jesus Approved a Roman Centurion’s Faith, Humility, and Obedience

A Roman centurion had a servant who was sick, and he asked Jesus to heal him. But he told Jesus he didn’t feel worthy for Jesus to come to his house. Notice what the centurion said in Luke 7:6.

“Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it” (Romans 7:6–8).

Roman centurions were officers in the army who commanded great respect. As the name would imply, they were responsible for 80 to 100 men on the battlefield, and had a crucial role to the effective functioning of the Roman army.

Jesus was shocked and pleased by his attitude. Notice Luke 7:9.

When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”

What impressed Jesus so much about this man? Perhaps not just his faith that He could heal. Maybe it was also his profound humility, even though he was a man of accomplishment and high position. He was voluntarily submitting himself to Jesus Christ, and humbly acknowledging his need for help.

Maybe expressing faith goes hand in hand with walking humbly with God, and putting our confidence and trust in God, not in ourselves, as Hebrews 11:6 says.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

To diligently seek Him, we must accept we are not sufficient on our own. It’s not complicated. It’s not a mechanical formula or a complicated ritual. It’s about humbling ourselves and walking in faith with the One who gave us life and breath.

When the Apostle Paul was in Athens, while waiting for his travelling companions, he happened to see the many idols in the city. After hearing some of what he had to say about the Savior Jesus Christ, some of the citizens of the city brought him up to the Areopagus. This was where public discourse about philosophical questions often took place.

While there, Paul saw their altar “to the Unknown God.” He took that as an opportunity to introduce them to the God of Heaven, Earth and all that there is. Let’s pick it up in Acts 17:23.

The One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you.

And then he explained who the true God is: The One who made us, the One who sustains life on this earth, the one who holds our next breath in His hands. Going on in verse 29.

Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead (Acts 17:29–31).

He was introducing them to God. And introducing them to the Savior Jesus Christ, who died and rose again. And paid the penalty of sin for all mankind.

But God expects something in return. He expects us to respond in faith, and love, and loyal obedience to Him.

If you are willing to do that, God has a special role for you and an opportunity to build a very close relationship with Him, as this next video explains.

Do you want to serve God with your whole heart? Do you want to fulfill all that the Lord requires of you—to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him?

Then you need to take the next step and respond with a willing heart to what God is calling you to do. We’ll show you how in the next video.