Marks of True Spirituality

WHAT does it mean to know God? What are the marks of true spirituality? Micah offers a summary by giving three primary virtues that are to characterize every one of God’s people: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). This three-sided approach to life is balanced, unlike many of the fads and fetishes of modern spirituality. For example:

• To act with justice keeps one in the real world rather than getting bogged down in theoretical abstractions that actually ignore oppression and injustice.
• To love mercy keeps one in touch with the grace of a faithful God rather than succumbing to the tyranny of results-oriented spirituality, which tends to produce legalism, weariness, and burnout.
• To walk humbly with God keeps one dependent on the Lord’s resources rather than trusting in merely human solutions, which creates unrealistic pressure on individuals and institutions.

Courtesy of Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
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