... And what does the LORD require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
(Micah 6:8)
Looking at Micah 6:6-8, God isn't interested in massive sacrifices, but our hearts. There is much more to this than first glance, though.
First, isn't sacrifice necessary? Then why did God instigate them as of first importance in the Law of Moses?
This is, in part, prophesy.
See Psalm 40:6-8. Burnt offering not required ... but I have come to do Your will
Who? And what was God's will for him? Isaiah 53:1-12 answers this: a Man, rejected of men, who would suffer for man's sins.
The New Testament confirms this. John 3:16; Hebrews 10:1-10.
So we see in Micah and other Old Testament scripture, the prophesying of the Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Second, God has shown us what is good (Micah 6:8)
Not making sacrifice for our sins - we cannot do it; that is why we need Christ (Galatians 2:16).
But goodness in the heart, and the outflow of this into our lives.
It is God's own nature (Jeremiah 9:24) we strive to emulate in our lives.
Do justly - understand right from wrong. Act wisely and fairly. Examples: Malachi 2:16; Matthew 5:31-32; Malachi 3:5; Ephesians 5:8-17; 6:4; Colossians 4:1; etc.
Love mercy - Seek the good of others (whether we consider that they deserve it, or not). Knowing that if we don't show mercy, neither will we receive any. Matthew 5:7; Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 6:9; 12; 14-15.
Walk humbly with our God -
Thus says the LORD, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build to me? Where will I rest? For my hand has made all these things, and so all these things came to be,” says the LORD: “but I will look to this man, even to he who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.” Isaiah chapter 66, verses 1-2
- Fear Him, and keep His commandments. Proverbs 1:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13; John 14:15.
- Realize that we are nothing and that we depend on Him for everything. Psalm 104:1-35; James 1:17-21; Ephesians 5:20.
In essence,
we, unworthy of God and offensive to Him,come to Him through Jesus Christ, for cleansing and all His blessings,
and therefore, in gratitude: show His goodness to others.
“Come to me [Jesus], all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”. Matthew chapter 11, verses 28-30