Shakespeare’s soliloquy in Act III, Scene One of his play Hamlet starts with “To be, or not to be – that is the question: …”
The Bible in Micah 6:8 can be paraphrased into something similar, such as “To be good, or not to be – that is indeed the question”
No one who is good can enter into the kingdom of God, unless they believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who was murdered for the sins of the world (you and me), who by the power of God the Father who sent Him, rose again on the third day, conquering sin and death, once and for all and is the perfect and final sacrifice (no other sacrifice is needed) accepted by God. It is grace and grace alone that saves and not any works of anyone. No amount of penance and self-inflicted acts of righteousness can save anyone. However, those who are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, are called to do good works. Jesus said, let your light so shine amongst men, that they may see your good works and glorify God the Father, who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
People say, I am waiting for God to show me what he wants me to do? or I do not what the will of the Lord is? The answer is in the Bible and is quite straightforward. We are called to do good works. We are saved by GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense) but are called to do good works. The question then arises, what is good? Micah 6:8 gives us the answer.
That which is good is what God requires of us and that is to
- do justly
- love mercy and
- walk humbly
To do justly is to treat others with fairness, executing justice as God the Righteous judge would rewarding each one according to their deeds (1 Corinthians 3:8).
To love mercy is to be compassionate as God is, slow to anger, abounding in love (Numbers 14:18). Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7).
To walk humbly is to put on the mind of Christ and take the attitude of a servant (Philippians 2:7), diligently waiting on the master (Psalm 123:2), and becoming obedient even unto the death (Philippians 2:8) [of the self, and to sin].
And remember, the litmus test of whether our good works are good or not is in the result. Our good works should not bring us the glory nor praise, but those who see our good works must glorify God the Father in heaven, for the impact our lives have in theirs.
Point(s) to ponder:
Is your life/my life one that glorifies God the Father who is in heaven. In other words, are we doing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly; are we doing good works which is required of us? If not, let’s take a stand to start now! To be good, or not to be – that is indeed the question.
Micah 6:8 (KJV)
8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
