05/27/2015
WHAT DOES GOD REQUIRE OF US?
By Pastor Biodun Abbey Olusanya during Bible Study on 05/26/15
In the days of old, the Israelites thought they could please God simply by offering an avalanche of ritualistic sacrifices such as year old calves, thousands of rams, rivers of oil, or even their first born child! In modern times some might think all God requires is the strict adherence of certain rituals such as attending church on Sundays, weekly Bible studies, and being punctual at all church programs. Brethren, attending church programs is important because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word but it is essential for us to obey God and grow spiritually.
Ephesians 5:15-17 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF US
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Ephesians 4:25-29 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
TO DO JUSTLY: To act toward God and man according to the divine standard of righteousness revealed in His law and to act towards man according to His divine law. It was the failure of the Israelites to do justly that caused them to go into captivity.
Zechariah 7:8-14 And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts: But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate. [also read Zechariah 8:16-17]
TO LOVE MERCY: This involves showing compassionate warm-heartedness towards man treating everyone fairly and without partiality. To show kindness and love to those in need such as the widows, the poor, the fatherless, and those in need including our enemies.
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Luke 6:35-36 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
TO WALK HUMBLY WITH OUR GOD: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. We must live in humility and submissive obedience to His desire and will. This can only happen when we recognize the absolute holiness, righteousness, and sovereignty of God. This is the only way we can enjoy His fellowship and continual cleansing by the blood of Jesus.
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
1 John 1:7-9 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Such close communion and fellowship with God requires daily listening to God i.e studying His word to learn His will.
James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Talking to God by prating for strength and forgiveness, praising Him for blessings He bestowed on us. It also requires walking with God by doing His will in humble submission.
Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
By walking humbly with God we are more likely to keep in proper balance the demands to do justly and love mercy. Let us pray…
PRAYER
Father, I commit myself unto you! I desire to do justly, I desire to walk in mercy and love! Help me to please you! I want to please you! I need your help! Work a work in me! Take away my stony heart and give me a heart of flesh! Help me to walk in love and forgiveness!
The Lord gave the word; great is the company of those that published it (Psalm 68:11)
