Basic Requirements: Do Justly
Micah 6:8 (NKJV)
“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?”
In this three-part series we will consider each of these BASIC REQUIREMENTS, first seeing what God’s Word has to say, and then examining what that looks like in our day-to-day practice.
Let’s get started!
Do justly - do what is right, equitable, fair, not favoring one person over another; be consistent; be honest.
God had a lot to say in the Law about DOING JUSTLY. (All verses are NKJV unless otherwise noted.)
Business Dealings
Proverbs 11:1, “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.”
Leviticus 19:36, “You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah [half-bushel], and an honest hin [gallon]: I am the Lord your God…”
Deuteronomy 25:13, “You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a heavy and a light.”
Our text verse as well as these verses are about “doing” justly. You may be tempted to think, “This doesn’t apply to me because I don’t sell things or carry around a scale or balance weights.”
Oh, really? Think again.
The weights and balances we carry around are not measured in ounces or pounds, grams or kilos. They are determined by a lifetime of experiences that have tempered our thinking possibly by past hurts or wounding comments that give us a desire to lash out and hurt someone else. “That’s not fair!” is the cry of both the young and the old. If that accusation is directed toward me, I should not glibly respond that “Life is not fair.” Instead, I should evaluate my actions, apologize if necessary, and make amends.
Often we are accused of being too judgmental. While the Bible does teach us to judge between right and wrong, nowhere are we given license to superimpose our thinking upon another simply to make them conform to our way of thinking. (We are talking practical application here, not theology.) Romans 14 speaks to soul liberty. One person’s intent to provide “correction and instruction in righteousness” may be perceived (especially by the recipient) as overstepping boundaries, being judgmental, or trying to impose our standards on another.
Where does much of this comparison thinking take place? Unfortunately, in the church building.
“I can’t believe she wore that to church!” (too long, too short, too revealing, outdated, wrong color for her)
“She ought to do something with her hair. She would look so much cuter with it short (or long, or curled).”
“Why doesn’t she take that crying baby out?”
“Why don’t they teach their children to sit still?”
You get the idea. Each of these thoughts is centered on trying to impose MY standards, MY ideals, MY comfort upon someone else. In other words, “You don’t measure up!”
When visitors come to your church, do you greet them with open arms? Or do you “size them up” to determine if they are worth your time? Hear what James had to say on this subject. Apparently it was happening in the first century church, too!
James 2:1-4, “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ and say to the poor man, ‘You stand there,’ or ‘Sit here at my footstool,’ have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”
Oh. My. Goodness. I will confess to you that I have been guilty of this. The Reformers Unanimous addictions ministry in our church has been the greatest catalyst to overcome and destroy this kind of biased thinking.
Social Interactions
Exodus 23:1, “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.”
Deuteronomy 16:19, “You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.”
Deuteronomy 24:17, “You shall not pervert justice due the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a widow’s garment as a pledge.”
These verses address lies, slander, gossip, showing favoritism, and taking advantage of others, particularly those who have limited resources.
Statements that start with “Did you hear…” or “I just found out that…” or “Someone told me that …” can easily lead to gossip or false reports. Please don’t be tempted to speak freely about others’ circumstances or misfortunes, even if the facts are documented. Pray for their situation privately, but do not make it public. Even if it becomes public on social media, do not feel compelled to comment or add fuel to the fire. You most likely do not know all the facts. Even if you do, there is no need to share them (except with authorities if the person is in imminent danger).
Taking bribes may at first evoke a response of “I would never do that!” However, letting others pressure us into doing something we do not want to do is a form of bribery. Orchestrating events to give one an advantage over another is a form of bribery. Call it a dare. Call it manipulation.
Service to God may even be the result of bribery. Did you volunteer to serve on a committee because you really want to be a help and a blessing. Or did you volunteer because of what people would think of you if you didn’t? Are you teaching a children’s Sunday School class because you have a sincere love for children and a desire to impart Biblical truth to their hearts? Or are you serving because of a “guilt trip” every time you hear a plea from the pulpit that more workers are needed?
If your heart is not in it, don’t do it. Children especially can see right through the insincerity. Your attitude will have a more profound effect than your teaching. You will be frustrated, unhappy, tired, and burned out if you are serving God in any capacity for the wrong reasons.
Finally, what about taking advantage of others? “I would never do that,” you say. Well, what about looking the other way when we see a sister in need? What about not signing up to provide a meal for someone because “I’m too busy” or “I wish someone would fix me a meal.” Or neglecting to make a phone call to check on someone who missed a service? How about leaving the ladies’ fellowship early so you don’t “get stuck” on cleanup duty (thereby leaving that burden to be carried by the ones who also came early to set up or decorate).
We cannot continue in our smug complacency thinking that these Old Testament verses have nothing to do with our modern lives.
Remember, the nature of man has not changed since Adam and Eve were created. God’s Word has not changed. While there are specific commands, judgments, and promises given to specific people at a specific time, most of God’s Word is applicable to all people everywhere all the time for all time.
Personal Integrity
God also has a lot to say about “being” just. We can’t “do” or “act” in a manner that is not consistent with what is in our hearts.
Luke 6:45 (AMP), “The [intrinsically] good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart; and the [intrinsically] evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil [in his heart]; for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart.”
Titus 2:7, “In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility.”
How are you doing? Are you known to be honest in all your dealings? Are you able to keep your mouth shut and keep your thoughts to yourself? Is your integrity so “squeaky clean” that your own heart does not condemn you?
God’s Word is clear. God’s holiness is the standard.
Are you willing to invite God to examine your heart and show you where improvement is needed?
Are you willing to change?
Psalm 26:2, “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me, try my mind and my heart.”
Psalm 139:23 (KJV), “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts.”
We must DO JUSTLY in all our interactions with people for business or pleasure, in our work and our service. And we must BE JUST according to God’s standard. It’s not about me being better than someone else. It’s not about putting others down to make me look better.
It’s about looking into God’s Word, examining my own motives, lifestyle, words, and actions. It’s about inviting and allowing God to examine my heart and mind under His microscope. It’s about change.
Philippians 4:8 (AMP), “Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s Word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart.]”
