Within scripture is found this rather exhaustive to-do list to help live a life that is pleasing to God.
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1. Love sincerely.
2. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
3. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
4. Honor one another above yourselves.
5. Never be lacking in zeal.
6. Keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
7. Be joyful in hope,
8. Patient in affliction,
9. Faithful in prayer.
10. Share with God’s people who are in need.
11. Practice hospitality.
12. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
13. Rejoice with those who rejoice;
14. Mourn with those who mourn.
15. Live in harmony with one another.
16. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.
17. Do not be conceited.
18. Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
19. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
20. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
21. Do not take revenge.
22. Leave room for God’s wrath.
23. If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
24. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
25. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
— Romans 12:9-21
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The first 18 things on this list are personal, the last seven are relational. The second part of Romans 12:21 goes on to say, “For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” This refers to the burning conviction that our kindness places on our enemy. The best way to conquer your enemy? Make him your friend!
It would be well for us to remember to do these things, and to commit them to memory. I suggest memorizing this short verse as a reminder of what God expects from us:
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 6:8
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This verse lays it out in the simplest of terms: Three action words followed by the action to be taken in order to do good and fulfill God’s requirement. Let’s break it down:
Do Justly
First of all, do something, as opposed to doing nothing. Take action. And don’t do just anything, but do what’s right. The Bible warns 59 times against doing what is right in our own eyes. By extension, within the context of this verse, it means do what is right in the eyes of God.
Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith.
— Habakkuk 2:4
Love Mercy
Possibly the two most powerful words in the English language. The love spoken of here is Agape, God’s perfect, selfless, unconditional love. Aspire to love as God loves, and extend mercy to all, equally. To all, including that person who just gets on your nerves.
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
— Luke 6:36
In other words, don’t retaliate when offended but speak words of life into the situation. I must step back, take a deep breath, and pray. It’s hard to be angry at someone you are praying for.
Walk Humbly
The Christian walk is not a run, or a crawl, but a deliberate, one foot in front of the other, walk-it-out-in-shoe-leather experience. The opposite of sitting on the sidelines and observing. And above all, do all of this “walking” without saying “look at me, look what I’m doing.”
Why is humility so important to God?
James 4:6 tells us that “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” On the flip side, arrogance and an air of superiority are in opposition to God. At the core of this is self-worship, and a blatant disregard for the things of God.
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The same sentiment is mirrored by the psalmist in these verses:
Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart.
— Psalms 15:1-2
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Romans 12:1 speaks of “your reasonable service”. Micah 6:8 mentions “what the Lord requires.” Psalm 15 tells what I need do to “dwell in Your holy hill.”
Meeting the minimum requirement partnered with reasonable expectation tells me that this is the very least I can do for God to further His kingdom.
But I must do more.
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