What does God require of you?

Just as in the time of Micah, people still believe that God requires us to observe and adhere to particular impossible-to-keep rules, perform extreme sacrifices, do “good works” and even strive for absolute perfection, but God responds to that type of belief today the same way He responded then,

“No, the Lord has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God.”. (Micah 6:8 GNT)

From this verse we can clearly see that what we believe God requires vastly differs from what He actually requires of us.

Using Jesus’ life as an example, God has not only told us what is good, He has shown us what is good, and it has to do with the way we treat others. Jesus tells us that we must love our fellow man as we love ourselves. Someone who really loves himself would never purposely injure himself, he’d always seek what is best for himself and therein lies the “good”. Being good is about our actions, and behavior towards other people.

In Numbers 10:29 Moses said to Hobab, “Come with us, and we will be good to you…” – other translations read, “…and we will treat you well…” To treat each other well is what God wants us to do, it is what He requires of us. How we treat our neighbour is very important to God.

According to Micah, it’s about being fair and just, not biased and judgmental; it’s about constantly expressing godly love by being compassionate and kind, and looking so far beyond flaws that you’re able to turn the other cheek; it’s about having such love and respect for God that your desire is to please Him always, being in a state of acquiesce, obedient to His voice, and allowing God to be involved in your life in an intimate personal way.

“what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear [and worship] the Lord your God [with awe-filled reverence and profound respect], to walk [that is, to live each and every day] in all His ways and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul [your choices, your thoughts, your whole being],” (Deuteronomy 10:12 AMP).

God has been good to each and every one of us. He has not given to us the punishment we truly deserve. Instead, God has dealt justly with us, constantly showing us such unconditional love that we can hardly grasp its depth, and despite our imperfections, is desirous of being in fellowship with us.

Beloved, from this day, strive to return the favour by giving to God what He requires of you – doing what is just; showing constant love; and living in humble fellowship with God.

Amen†

 

Shelley Johnson “What does God require of you?” © 2016 revisited June 21, 2025