It has been my observation while reading Ephesians and Micah, the notion of walking with God is a common theme in scripture. Micah asks the question – What does the Lord need from you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8 paraphrased). I noted three key points to his definition. I think we should take a deeper look at Justice, Kindness, and Humility.

(1) Justice. A quick review of Strong’s Lexicon tells us the Hebrew term is ‘Mispat’ (H4941). This term suggests our implementation of justice (as it relates to our behavior) includes the following steps: ask questions, consider the facts, offer solutions to help bring people into a proper relationship with Jesus. ‘Mispat’ also suggests we should be honest and impartial (implied in Exodus 23:1-8), treating all people we meet with fairness, defending the vulnerable who need our help (implied in Deuteronomy 24:17). It also suggests before we act — we should measure our presumptions and activities, consider the impact of God’s word, and help people we meet to seek God’s counsel.

(2) Kindness. I searched Strong’s Lexicon and noted the Hebrew term is ‘Hesed’ (H2617) has rich usage in the Old Testament (250+ encounters). We find the term also translated as: mercy, lovingkindness, goodness, or faithfulness. These four terms give us clues as to the meaning of ‘Hesed.’ In the context of Micah 6:8, I think ‘Hesed’ suggests we are at our best when we let Jesus shine through our actions (fruit of the Spirit) as we meet people and circumstances in our walk with God. ‘Hesed’ implies we should always be considerate of others, placing their need above our own — unconditional love.

(3) Humility (Hebrew – ‘Sana’, H6800) is an overused term. Strong’s Lexicon says ‘Sana’ only appears twice in the Old Testament, here in Micah and in Proverbs. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility we obtain wisdom (implied in Proverbs 11:2). In Micah we are asked to be humble in our actions and to walk with God; stimulating our growth in wisdom (the wisdom connection was used from Proverbs 11:2). It is imperative we place the mantle of pride, arrogance, and haughty attitudes on the ground and resist picking the mantle back up. God’s plan lights the path we are to walk; He provides the means to conduct His plan. God is “our help and our shield” (Psalms 33:20).

Moses wrote — You shall WALK in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so you may live, and then it will go well with you, and you will live long in the land that you possess (Paraphrased Deuteronomy 5:33). Enoch WALKED with God, he fathered Methuselah and had other sons and daughters. All the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch WALKED with God, and then he was not, for God took him to heaven (Paraphrased from Genesis 5:22-24). Paul wrote — For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should WALK in them (Ephesians 2:10).

From my vantage point, walking with God appears to have distinctive definable roles. We are the vessel; Jesus is the captain. God’s plan for us is a series of tasks and jobs that are part of the Fathers larger strategy. The captain uses the vessel to conduct the tasks and jobs defined by the Father. Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying – this is the way, WALK in it, keeping you on the path when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left (Paraphrased from Isaiah 30:21). The more responsive we are to His voice; the more task and job completion Jesus achieves through us; the more the Father is glorified; the more the Holy Spirit comes alongside of us bringing deeper insight; the more the Logos becomes real to us; the more we grow into the person God planned for us; the more we embody justice, kindness, and humility. You may have noticed, our walk with God can be quite an adventure.

I choose Jesus.