Faith Filled Family Magazine September 2016 | Page 45

God’s word, as found in a clear reading and understanding of scripture. Along with knowledge, we also need a life of… • Worship (2 Ki. 17:36, Ps 89:7, 114:7)God is creator, sustainer, Father, Savior, King of our lives, and worthy of praise and adoration. More than singing, our life of service should reflect our worship of the Lord. Awe (Ps 33:8) is a part of worship, where we recognize truly how awesome God is in His attributes, His glory, His splendor and wonderful grace. Living in awe of God, as we worship Him leads us to the recognition of our… •Duty to serve Him while serving others and leads to… Blessings, such as: •The ability to avoid sin (Ex 20:20) •Long Life (De. 6:2, 24) •Direction and peace (Ps. 25:12) •An Inheritance (Ps 25:13) •Covenant (Ps 25:14) •Deliverance and preservation (Ps 33:19) •Mercy (Ps 103:13) •Fulfillment (Ps. 145: 19 •Health (Pr. 3:8) •Confidence and Shelter (Pr. 14:26) •Being remembered by God (Mal. 3:16) •Receiving a Generational Blessing (Lu. 1:50) Along with the fear of the Lord, we must learn to walk in His ways. Of course, to know His ways requires knowledge of the Word of God. It does indicate that there is a correct way to walk. Jesus said that he was the Way, and is the way maker (the door). In following Christ and His teachings, we begin to fulfill Moses’ Mandate of walking in the ways of the Lord. Part of walking in the way is to walk in love for God and others. More will be discussed on this in our last chapter. Suffice it to say for now that our ultimate goal, the goal of instruction is love, agape love, unselfish God like love for the Lord and His creation. (See 1 Tim. 1:5) Love is demonstrated in service to others. Jesus set the standard extremely high when he used an outcast Samaritan as an example of love for others. Rubbing the lack of care for the wounded in the nose of the Pharisees was certainly one of Christ’ goals, but primarily He desired that His disciples learned a different level of love…truly love of the same quality of His Father. Of course, love was to be with passion, with all ones being, not mere sentimentality, or just altruistic service, but passionate, and compassionate love for others was the requirement of the people of God, the mandate of Moses, but only realized by the Holy Spirit living through a believer. What Does God Want- It is the Walk The Three Point Play Mighty Micah the Old Testament prophet states; “He has shown you oh man what is good. And what the Lord does require of you but to do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Provided here is the three-point play of a successful walk, which starts with… Justice God is the God of the oppressed; he is the refuge for the poor (Ps. 14:6, Is. 25:4). As such he hears them (Ex. 22:27; Ps. 34:6), provides for them (Ps. 68:10; 82:3; 102:17; Is. 41:17), and secures justice for them (Ps. 140:12). All mankind has been and will be judged correctly and judiciously by the King, Christ (Is. 11:4). God has always had a special heart for the poor, providing such things as gleaning rights (Lev. 19:10), a cloak for security, which was to be returned at night for sleeping (Ex. 22:26-27, Deut. 24:12-13), daily payment of wages (Deut. 24:14-15), requiring an annual tithe be taken for the care of the poor (Deut. 14:29), along with many other provisions of scripture. Thus, the poor deserved impartial judgment and appropriate consideration, respect and care. (See “Christian Ethics in the Portable Seminary, 2006) Justice is defined as… being just, the rendering of what is due or merited, and conformity to the law of God…an attribute of God. A second view is that by which we measure right and wrong; a verdict or sentence. The bible word comes from a root Hebrew word Mish Paw, meaning an open gate. Justice is a key biblical concept, strongly related to righteousness. “Righteous and Justice are the foundation of God’s throne, loving kindness and truth go before You.” (Ps. 89:14) Further, “Evil men do not understand Justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all things (Pr. 28:5). Finally, the prophet Amos states; “Let Justice roll down like rivers,