What does God expect of you?

Few of us have thought long or hard about that question, though all of us should. The answer determines whether we live life well or live life poorly.

The ancient prophet Micah pondered what God expected. The simplicity of Micah’s divinely inspired answer shocked the affluent society of ancient Judah. It may shock you too.

He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Micah’s three final phrases give us an outline for pursuing a life well lived.

• Do what is right. To do what is right, we must first determine what is right, by spending time with God in prayer, in His Word, and with His people. Once we’ve discovered the right path, we must expect resistance. But in the midst of resistance, we must remember that God will superintend His plan and bring it to completion.
• Love what is kind. The world is rarely kind, but we can cultivate kindness by recognizing that God is the judge — that His sovereign hand controls all situations — and by accepting our circumstances as God’s means of blessing.
• Model what is humble. Humility doesn’t keep score. But it does accept responsibility for wrongdoing. Furthermore, it is gentle, and it rests in God’s sovereign control.

A life well lived honors the Lord, inspires others, and produces rewards for the one who lives it. At least six rewards are worth mentioning:

1. The sustained cultivation of exemplary character
2. The continued relief of a clear conscience
3. The personal delight of intimacy with the Almighty
4. The high privilege of being a mentor
5. The crowning reward of finishing well
6. A priceless, lingering legacy for those we love

Now that’s a life well lived!

Copyright © 2012 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc