Advice for the Christian Perfectionist

   I’m sure all of us have been there when we are feeling like a “bad Christian,” that we aren’t doing enough to live out our faith. We don’t spend enough time volunteering, praying, studying the Bible, or that we aren’t doing enough to please God. Micah 6:6-8, is a strong reminder that no matter how complicated things may be, and even with all the “rules”  we are encouraged to follow, God’s love for us is not dependent on our works, but on our faith in him and willingness to live out his word.
“With what shall I come before the Lord
 and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
 with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
 with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
 the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
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." Micah 6:6-8
In the old covenant, and before the Holy Spirit was dwelling in us, the Israelites would have to do physical works, like burnt offerings, in order to be forgiven and physically enter into the presence of God in the tabernacle.  If they entered the tabernacle while they were considered “unclean” they would burst into flames. They needed to do certain things to please the Lord. They often wondered if what they were doing was enough. Would God be pleased with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? How about thousands of rams or the sacrifice of their firstborn? The Israelites wondered what things they needed to come before the Lord. How about the fruit of their body for the sin of their soul? If you keep reading all these questions are answered. “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 ” (Micah 6:8) Isn’t it nice when the Bible answers it’s own questions? Even though the answer is made somewhat clear, what exactly does this all mean and how do we apply it in our lives? We can’t just do a burnt offering any more, wait some time, and call it good! Let’s break down what the author meant by acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with your God.
What does it mean to act justly? One can assume it means to follow in the fight for justice or righteousness, but even more than that, to act justly in not only hardship and oppression, but in times of triumph and joy. To do the right thing even when you think no one is watching because as Christians, we know that God is always watching over us. To act justly means to follow what the Bible instructs us to do while acting morally correct to the best of our abilities while depending on God to lead us through.
Now, what does it mean to love mercy? Another word for mercy is compassion; to have compassion and forbearance, especially in times of wrongdoing. More specifically, to forgive those to trespass against us. This verse also says to love mercy, so having compassion for others out of love, not out of obligation.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13
“Walk Humbly with your God”
Walk: I think it’s worth noting the author says walk, not run. Some may think this isn’t a big deal, but there is a significant difference between walking through life and running through life. To enjoy life and to take notice of the beauty in the world, or to race through without stopping to smell the roses.
Humbly: To walk humbly means to realize you aren’t perfect, that you need Christ, and that you are going to mess up. To have a humble heart is to recognize the beauty in other people as well as in yourself, but not boastful about it. To live a humble life can mean so many different things. Maybe for you, it’s to live beneath your means, so you can be generous and share what the Lord has blessed you with. Not just financially but also with your time. Humility can take many different forms. How is God convicting you in this area of your life?
With Your God: To walk “with” God is a choice to spend your time here on earth, in the presence of God and to honor him with your life. Through reading his word, in prayer, fellowship with others and living out your faith as an example of Christ, while recognizing that God is with you, hand and hand the whole time. This doesn’t mean that things are always going to be perfect but because you have accepted Christ as your God, he has taken you as his child as well.
    Next time you’re stuck in thinking you aren’t doing good enough, you aren’t physically doing enough work to please God, you're not spiritual enough, or that sin that you are struggling with just won’t go away, no matter what it is,  refer back to Micah 6:8. We aren’t expected to be perfect or required to do all these things to be forgiven or to physically enter the presence of God; the Holy Spirit dwells in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). Forever and ever Amen! All God truly wants from us is to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Sounds simple right?

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