Do Justice

     What does God require of me? Surely there is something I must do. Man has wrestled with this question since Cain and Abel. New denominations have been created over this very question.

     So what does God require of me? Is it offerings of money, or cattle, or whatever? What do you give the God who created everything? God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He doesn't need yours. Should I be in church every time it's open? Good idea, but not necessary. How would you determine when you've been there enough? Should I do something, build something, feed someone, or comfort someone? Again, great things to do but again how much would be enough?

     So what does God require of me? The answer can be found in the words of Micah, "Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly before your God." There it is, simply stated, what God requires of all who call Him Lord.

At His Name

     How easily we use it. How often we say it without any thought. How careless we are with it. At the sound of it Satan must flee. At the mention of it all of heaven bows in worship. At the sound of it all of creation cries, "Holy, holy, holy." yet we use it in vain without a second thought.

     The name of the Lord is to be high and lifted up, not tossed around like an old rag. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are saved." (Prov. 18:10)

The Offering

     It's a familiar story, quoted whenever someone wants people to forgive and forget a misdoing; mostly forget. The woman was caught in the very act of sin. Her punishment was laid out by Moses and it was clear, death. Jesus was passing by and some in the crowd saw a chance to trap Him, so they asked His opinion. Everyone knows how Jesus defused the crowd by saying, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." By pointing out their own sins, He sent the crowds away. Most people stop here, but there is more to the story.

     You see even after the crowd had dropped their stones and left, one remained who could cast the first stone. Jesus, who lived a sinless life, stood before the woman. He knew the law, she deserved death. Her life was literally in His hands. Instead of death He chose life for this woman, "Neither do I condemn you."

     Each of us have been caught in the very act of sin. Some day we will be brought before Jesus by the angry mob of this world. If we cling to the Master, He will choose life for us also.

     That woman did die that day. Her old man died and she became a new creation. The law was carried out but in a way no one expected. Jesus is offering life to you this day. Will you accept it?