Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God: Bishop

 “ACT JUSTLY, LOVE MERCY.” This theme has been the focus of the programmes run by the Chinese Annual Conference (CAC) this past year. Thus, it was fitting that at the Opening Service of the 36^th Session of the CAC on Nov 14, Bishop Dr Robert Solomon’s message also focused on the Bible passage from which this theme came, namely, Micah 6:1-8.

The Bishop showed how the earlier chapters of Micah encapsulated God’s discipline of His children in Israel. He pointed out Israel’s errors in treating God as less than God, and treating others as less than human. Micah 6:8 is thus God’s way of spelling out His expectations for His children.

However, the Bishop pointed out that it is crucial to remember to “walk humbly with your God” as well as to act justly and love mercy, as is written in the verse. This is because all the three attributes are required by God, and merely acting justly and loving mercy without walking humbly with God can lead us to miss the point that He values obedience over sacrifice. To leave out humility can lead to pride in ministry, achievements or organisations, rather than reliance on God.

How then can we avoid pride, which is prone to creep up subtly? The Bishop reminded us of Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28-30, where He invites us to “take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

By having a personal relationship with God, being filled with the Spirit, and learning from Jesus’ life and works, we can learn to obey God’s greatest commandments of loving Him with all our heart, soul and mind, and loving our neighbours as ourselves. In this way, we will fulfil God’s expectations of walking humbly with Him, and practising justice and mercy in our dealings with others.