The Requirements in Christ Jesus!

“He has shown you, O mortal, 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 6:8 NIV

First of all, we have to know that we are sinners because of the world (Romans 5:12). Because of this, God had sent His only Son, Jesus Christ as an image of Himself into the world (John 1:14) to be crucified on the cross as an atonement of our sins (Colossians 2:13-15). This is because He wants us to become righteous of God through Him (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24) so we are able to enter the eternal kingdom of heaven at the end of the age (Matthew 7:21), where we are supposed to belong (Genesis 1-2). The main reason for this is that all of us have been created in images of God (Genesis 1:27). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) For this reason, God has poured His Spirit (John 14:15-27) into us to transform our desires and passions into godly ones (2 Peter 1:3-11). “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus 3:3-8)

Furthermore, God has created His Word for us so that we may know how to become the righteousness of God (Romans 1:17) and teach others to be same (2 Timothy 3:16-17) “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Thus, overall, the word of God can be our guidance book on how to live for God through Jesus Christ properly. This is because faith and deeds have to work together to live our ordinary lives, but this combination is crucially needed when we are living for Him through Jesus. Otherwise, we are considered to be dead (James 2:14-26).

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. (Matthew 7:24-27)

Secondly, God, our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) requires to be merciful to others. This is because He has been merciful to us first and He wants us to be holy, just like Him (1 Peter 1:15-16). “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (Romans 8:29) Therefore, the word of God declares, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14) This means that we have to love one another, for this also is the second greatest commandment of God (Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31) and the law of the Spirit (Romans 13:8-10). In addition, the word of God commands, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2)

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)

Lastly, if we want to follow Jesus Christ until the end of the age truthfully, then we desperately need to overcome the world (1 John 5:1-5), even though it is hard (Matthew 16:24-27; Matthew 7:13-14). This is because “we know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) In addition to this, “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4) This is why the word of God states, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?” (James 4:4-5) Furthermore, Jesus proclaims, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7) This explains us that in order to live for God and His eternal kingdom, we need to surrender our lives, and then abide in the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:24-25) and the word of God (Matthew 7:24-27; Philippians 1:27-29) until the end of the age.

For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! (Galatians 2:19-21)

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:7-14)