What Does God Want From YOu?

​“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? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 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 6:6-8)

Israel was commanded by God to offer sacrifices at the Temple altar on a regular basis. But He was not pleased with their many offerings. Even if they were to make the ultimate sacrifice by offering their own child to Him, He would not accept it. Why? 

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​Because they refused to give their hearts and lives to God. This was evident in that they were unjust in their dealings with others. They were lacking in their love and mercy toward others. Their hearts were proud, and their lives were stubbornly disobedient before God.
 
God has commanded His church to regularly gather to worship Him in song, prayer, preaching, giving and taking the Lord’s Supper. He commands us to do good works and to disciple others for Christ. But God does not want your many offerings of worship and service, if He does not have your heart. And if He has your heart, it will show up in your life. This is what it looks like.
 
God wants you to do justly. Treat people fairly without prejudice. Do not be oppressive, taking advantage of the weak and poor. But rather uphold those who are mistreated.
 
God wants you to love mercy. None of us deserve it but it is what we all need. God has given it to us. We must give it to others. Be compassionate, caring, understanding, forgiving, patient and kind to all.
 
God wants you to walk humbly. Pride keeps us from seeing the truth. The truth about God, ourselves and others. It leads to selfish rebellion and ultimate destruction. Only by humbling yourself in obedience to God’s will for your life can you ever be truly set free from sin and know His blessings.
 
What does your life look like? Is it truly what God wants from you?