What Does God Require? 耶和华的要求
Taken from Rev Ong Bee Keow’s sharing at the CAC 48th Session Day 3 Morning Devotion.
Everyone has a story. Let me begin with mine.
I grew up with many boy-friends––what a statement! The truth is that throughout my childhood and education journey, most of my classmates were males. This should have made me feel very protected or perhaps most loved, right? Well, that was not the case.
Being the “minority” in the group, I wanted to prove that I was better than any of them. I was a strong believer in the Chinese saying, “巾帼不让须眉” (women are not inferior to men). I was a no-nonsense person; I was studious and hard-working. I was competitive and I expected perfection!
As a result of that, I had very few friends.
The school holidays came along and I was passed a book by a classmate. “Read it,” she said and ran off. Since I had plenty of time during the holidays, I did.
A narrative caught my attention.
God’s love is manifested in humble deeds.
A woman came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
“Who is this Jesus who has this power?” I asked myself. I wanted that power too! And so began my journey of seeking and subsequently receiving Jesus as my Saviour and Lord.
As a young Christian, and like the Israelites, I wondered what I should do or bring to the Lord to please him when I worship him. The Israelites asked if they should bring burnt offerings in thousands or tens of thousands. Why? Perhaps because they felt the greater in quantity, the more pleasing their offerings may be to the Lord.
Those reflected my thoughts exactly – the more I give, the more blessings I should receive. Such an idea remains common among many believers today. In fact, such an inward-looking self-indulgent kind of false worship has become a barrier to our reaching out to pre-believers.
When I announced to my mother that I have become a Christian, her first violent opposition was, “Why do you want to be a Christian? You have to give 10% of your monthly salary to your church! 你的神那么爱钱,你要相信祂吗?”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)
My mother’s statements did not turn me away from God because I knew that to be untrue of the God I had believed in. Matthew 6:24 writes: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” However, her statement did wake me up. I realised the truth that God’s favour cannot be bought or earned. Prophet Micah tells us that without a right relationship with God and man, our sacrifice and offering are useless.
So what then does God require of us who believe in Him? Prophet Micah brings out 3 elements:
To act justly
First, to act justly. This does not mean merely to talk about justice or to get other people to act justly. It means to do the just thing ourselves, and to want the best for others. It means caring for others.
To love mercy
Next, to love mercy. This means to show kindness to others, to love others––including our enemies––even if they are unkind to us. This sounds so simple yet so difficult to do, doesn’t it? But we ought to still be merciful because God, who could punish us for our wrongdoings, has decided to show us great mercy.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Since we believe in what God has done for the world, we can be empowered to act justly and love mercy in this world.
To walk humbly with God
Last but not least, to walk humbly with God. While acting justly and loving mercy are about how we interact with other people, walking humbly with God is about how we interact with God, enjoying the close and intimate relationship we can have with Him. Let us live in that balance – not thinking too highly or too lowly of ourselves, but remembering that God is in charge; God knows what is best and He is much greater, smarter andwiser than us.
From cradle to grave, life is a long journey that each of us must travel. Knowing the truth about who God is and who we are will help us to stay in relationship with God as we go through life. Cultivating our walk with God will provide us the power and passion to fully engage and keep us grounded in everything we do.
Remember, brothers and sisters-in-Christ, of how Christ willingly sacrificed Himself to suffer and die on the cross for our sins. That is the undeserved love and mercy that God has for us. He now requires for us to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with the Lord.
In the words written by Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1, would you, “in view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God”? For that is our “true and proper worship” and “what God requires of each one of us”.
Reflection Questions
• How was your life before you became a Christian?
• Are you being obedient to what God requires of you? Why or why not?
• Has ministry become a chore? Has ministry become a burden?
I am still very young in the ministry. Every day is a new day of thanksgiving to the Lord for His mercies are new every morning. While I still work towards perfection, I no longer do so for myself.
It is my desire to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. It is my desire to be sanctified as I continue my journey. It is my desire to hear from the Lord when I see him face-to-face, “good job, well done my child.”
I share it here the first stanza of one of my favourite songs, and pray that it may be the desire of all our hearts.
每一天渴望与祢在爱中相遇
Every day, how I long to see You face-to-face
再一次将自己完全地献给祢
Once again, I am coming back to Your embrace
唯有祢是我的喜乐和力量
Forever, You’ll always be my joy and strength
我甘愿舍弃一切跟随祢
I lay down all my life to follow You.
Amen.
Rev Ong Bee Keow
Pastor-in-charge at Changi Methodist Church
Associate Pastor at Sengkang Methodist Church