The minister of a small church realized he had a practical joker around when an I.O.U. appeared in the offering plate on Sunday morning.  Then another showed up.  But on a Sunday weeks later, the offering had an envelope containing bills equal to the total of the I.O.U.'s.  After that, the pastor could hardly wait to see what amount the anonymous donor had promised.  The range of each I.O.U. was from $5 to $15 dollars, apparently based on what the donor thought the sermon was worth.  One Sunday after a rather ordinary sermon, the note read, "U.O. Me $5."

          Today I'm not sure whether this message will be worth five bucks or I will have to pay you for listening.  But have you ever wondered what's expected of you, what it is you're supposed to be doing in life, especially what God wants from you?  Some people mistakenly believe that Christianity is a complex thing in which God imposes large amounts of rules and expectations on people.  Actually, the opposite is true: Christianity is pure trust.  It's as simple -- and as complex -- as trusting in Christ for everything.  God doesn't impose lawbooks on us.  He only wants our faith.  He does want our faith to show itself in certain attitudes: justice, mercy and humility.  But still at times we may wonder if we're doing the right thing.

          An orchestra had scheduled a concert and one of the movements featured a flute solo that was to be played as if off at a distance.  The conductor told the floutist to stand off stage, and since the two would not be able to see each other, he was to listen carefully, counting the measures precisely in order to begin playing at the right time.  Concert night came and when it was time for the flute solo, the floutist began exactly as he should.  The lovely distant notes floated out beautifully from behind the curtain until suddenly there was a sour note and then the flute was silent.

          The conductor somehow finished the piece and rushed off stage to berate the poor floutist.  "But Maestro," he said, "everything was going beautifully, when suddenly this enormous stage hand ran up, grabbed away my flute, and pushed me back, saying, 'Shut up, you idiot!  Don't you know there's a concert going on out there?'"

          Perhaps you have asked yourself, "What in the world am I doing here?  What is expected out of me in life, and what does God expect of me?"  Perhaps this is what Micah had been considering when he wrote the words of our text: "He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the LORD require of you?  To do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

          "God's Requirements" as a title sounds legalistic.  First, let's be clear that faith alone is the foundation of our relationship with God.  Faith comes first, faith in Jesus Christ.  Everything else is secondary to our faith in Christ.

          But Micah is telling us something very important here.  He is saying that God wishes our faith to show itself in certain ways.  Here Micah cites the all-important godly attitudes of mercy, justice and humility.  "Requirements" means that God seeks to find justice, mercy and humility in the hearts and lives of people who trust in Him.  And when He sees those qualities, He is pleased.  Perhaps a better title today would be "God's Expectations."  God expects our faith to show itself in deeds of mercy, humility and justice.

          While Micah has shown us what God expects of us, we should then seek to attain these godly attitudes.  At breakfast last week with a member, he and I were discussing how to relate to the problems we see in the world.  He said each of us would do well to take care of ourselves first, then our families, then community and so forth, like concentric rings.  If each person attempted to do well in his or her own part of the world, then the world would become better.

          I believe I told him this works only if people seek the good and then actually follow through.  I should have included it only works if people include God in the equation.  Micah would say the same.  One can do justice, love mercy and walk humbly before God only if God is the source of what we do.  Doing it ourselves ends in frustration.  Our sinfulness messes things up.  We need God to do it right.

          It's good to look back in the Bible, but we must also apply it to life today.  Today is already tomorrow in the distant country of Iraq, and the vote is done.  War there has a great stake for America and the rest of the free world.  Despite a history of repression and dictatorships, the people there have voted on their leaders for the first time.  Exactly how the election turned out will not be known for days, since votes are counted by hand.

          But the whole world awaits the outcome, to see whether Iraqi and American expectations will be met.  Will the world see the vote of freedom win, establishing a more free and open country in the middle of radical Islam?  Or will murder and terrorism have won the day?  You and I and every person in the free world ought to be praying daily that God will help establish freedom there.  For unless freedom has a victory, the lives of thousands lost in this war will be in vain.  Furthermore, a loss would mean expansion of terrorist activity around the world, something no one should want.  And for those who think America ought to butt out and let the chips fall, may they one day see the light and the need to sacrifice for the freedom that all people have a right to experience.

          It's like that notice on the wall of a "Ready Room" where fighter pilots stand watch 24 hours a day to guard American borders.  The sign reads, "War is an ugly thing, but it is not the ugliest of things.  A depraved consciousness that believes there is nothing worth fighting for, nothing for which you are willing to pay the ultimate price, is much worse.  Indeed, there are eternal virtues greater than ourselves, greater than our wants and desires.  And the only way a man who is unwilling to pay the price for those virtues will enjoy them, is by the efforts of those who are better than he is."

          God has shown us what is good, O people of Castle Rock, people of the world.  His prophet Micah says, "...do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  Are we willing to "do justice" even if it means great risk to us?  Are we willing to walk humbly before God, with mercy towards all, including those with whom we disagree?  That's what Micah is calling us to do.  He wants to see the fruit of our faith include justice, mercy and humility, and He wants to see it in all aspects of our lives.

          Doing justice means having a social conscience, defending the rights of those who are weaker and who have been wronged.  Loving mercy means concern for the needs of those who cannot care for themselves, people at the ends of life, the unborn to the aged, as well as the people in the shadows of life, the poor, the disabled, and the homeless.  Walking humbly before God means focusing on our relationship with God.  Doing justice and loving mercy deal with other people, but humility is between us and God.  You and I are to conform our lives with God's will, to live in fellowship with Him and to agree with His will.

          A few years ago the Associated Press ran the story of André-Francois Raffray.  30 years before, at the age of 47, he had worked out a real estate deal with Jeanne Calment, age 90.  He would pay her $500 each month until her death, then he would be the owner of her apartment in Arles, France.  This is a common practice in France, benefiting both buyers and seniors on a fixed income.  Unfortunately for Raffray, Jeanne Calment became the world's oldest living person.  She lived to 120 years old, outliving Raffray, who died at the age of 77.  He paid $184,000 for an apartment he never lived in.

          There is no way we can fulfill all our expectations.  Only Jesus Christ has done that.  Only He has known and done God's will perfectly.  Only on the cross did He accomplish it all.  God loved the world enough to give us His best.  You and I can only trust Him and what He has done.  If we trust in ourselves, we will fall short and be disappointed.  But if we have faith in God's Son Jesus and what He has done for us, then we will be able to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly before Him.

          So if you are wondering what is expected of you in life, wonder no more.  First, trust in Jesus Christ.  He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one comes to God without faith in Him.  Then, let the Holy Spirit lead you in a life of justice, mercy and humility.  Do this and you will find peace with God.  Whatever life may toss at you, God's peace will go with you.  God grant this for Jesus' sake, amen.

Copyright © 2005 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.