Oh, human race, such a uniquely comical species! We’ve got this uncanny ability to manufacture our very own predicaments, thanks to our delightful combination of stupidity and neglect. And then, like a bunch of blame-hurling champions, we point our fingers at God, Satan or whoever else happen to be nearby. It’s like we we’ve declared “why me?” as our official anthem. Classic humans, always finding a way to make life interesting!
Can you believe it? We're all connected to Adam, the original responsibility dodger! When God confronted him with his terrible choice, Adam had the nerve to point his finger at Eve, saying “it’s all because of the women You put here with me” (Genesis 3:12). Talk about passing the buck! It seems we’ve inherited more than just our good looks from our dear old dad, huh?
Alright, let’s face it, we’ve all been there, done that, and made some epic blunders! It’s a never-ending cycle of facepalms. And when we mess up, we feel like we are in a doghouse with God, expecting an absolute dressing down. But have you ever thought about the first question God ask us when we make mistake? He simply askes, “Where are you?” Isn't he an omnipresent God? When God asks us a question, it’s not because He need information from us, but rather He wants to give us information.
In the light if the fact our good deeds or righteousness are considered as “filthy rags” in the presence of a supremely holy God, how can we effectively engage with Him? Is it possible to have a meaningful connection with a God who is faultless, completely holy and inherently good? Delve into the profound query put forth by the ancient prophet of the Old Testament.
With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burn offerings, with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Micah 6:6-7
Imagine the immense value of ten thousand rivers of oil, worth billions of dollars, it still wouldn’t be enough to atone for our sins! Can the loss of our first born, the most agonizing experience for us humans, serve as sufficient recompense for our wrongdoings? In the presence of this exalted God, who is pure and holy, our relationship is not something we can earn or deserve. Now let us explore the most renown verse in the Bible.
He has shown you, oh 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. (Micah 6:8 NIV)
Without understanding the context, one might interpret the verse as suggesting that we can disregard offerings and religious practice. However, it is crucial to delve deeper and grasp the intended message. If we believe that this verse encourages us to abandon sacrifices and religious rituals, we are disregarding the fundamental teachings of the Old Testament.
The ten commandments were bestowed upon the people, but they struggle to uphold them. Some individuals claim to adore Jesus’ “sermon on the mount,” yet they fail to truly comprehend its essence. If one genuinely comprehends it, they will humbly plead, “God, save me from the challenges presented in the sermon on the mount.”
The preceding verse to Micah 6:8 emphasizes the necessity of atonement for our sins. However, it is impossible for us to atone for our sins on our own, regardless of our efforts. The act of atonement is accomplished by Jesus, who willingly gave up his throne and became one of us. He sacrificed himself so that the divide between the completely holy and righteous God and humanity could be repaired.
To act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God mirrors Jesus' summary of the law which is to love the Lord with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves. So, here’s the catch – we can only truly fulfill these commandments in the light of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It is through his death, atoning for our sins, that we can confidently claim acceptance from God to live out his commandments. The divine twist here is that we are following these commands not to win God’s acceptance, but rather because we are already accepted by Him!
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