It’s refreshing when we meet somebody who’s not looking to score a payday from us or a moral compromise by us or some contrived comment to massage his or her ego.
Yes, when somebody just wants to nurture or establish a friendship with no ulterior motive, that’s a very good thing.
At His core, it seems, that’s how God feels toward us.
Yes, He desires that we serve Him, that we honor Him with our values and actions — but only because of how such things represent our attitude and affinity toward Him.
When we think of all He’s done for us before we had a clue about His grace toward us, we should be humbled and actually overwhelmed with appreciation.
There’s a passage in the Old Testament book of Micah that illustrates the relationship-focused heart of God.
It verifies that God’s not a control freak but instead a loving Abba Father who simply wants to know that His children love Him, love others and love doing good things.
This status can’t be purchased as an appeasing substitute for intimacy.
Check it out:
“With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
“Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
“He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:6-8)
Listen, this is not a free pass to evade God’s call to generous tithes and offerings to support the work of ministry. Jesus told people in His day that believers should be tithing (Matthew 23:23).
What God was emphasizing through the prophet was the more important form of blessing God — a surrendered heart that demonstrates faith in a fruitful manner.
Please, my friend, act justly today. Pour out mercy toward others. And walk with humility as you recall that God is perfect and you’re not.
I will pledge to do the same.
I already imagine the corners of God’s mouth beginning to form a smile….
As always, I love you
Martin
