The Main Ingredient

Posted on November 13, 2019 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

“O My people, what have I done to you?
And how have I wearied you?
Testify against Me.”

Micah 6:3

There are some recipes with ingredients that you can substitute with another, and some recipes where you can’t. When trekking the Christian walk and pondering our path, we should ask ourselves, “How do I grow closer to God?” If we look at this as a recipe, we know that we need to put certain ingredients into the mix.

If we’re not careful we allow things in our life that become a substitution for the real ingredient. Some examples are we allow injustice for justice, judgement for mercy and pride to be a substitute for humility. As we allow the Holy Spirit to justify these inaccuracies, we can hear Him as the People of Israel heard the Prophet Micah, “O My people, what have I done to You?”

It reminds me of the dreaded question from my parents when I would get testy and according to them, “Too big for my britches.” I would have to ponder the question, “Who do you think you are acting that way?”

We have a God who loves us, pursues us and will even chasten us in order to get the recipe right. God speaks through Micah to send a message that the ingredients we use are the wrong ones and need to be replaced. ​

With what shall I come before the LORD,

​​And bow myself before the High God?

​​Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings,

​​With calves a year old?

Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,

​​Ten thousand rivers of oil?

​​Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

​​The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

When we look at the accomplishments we have and can achieve pride is right there with them. It disguises itself as a quota for our behavior. We tend to mix it all together with other ingredients that on the outside looks good but is a stench in the nostrils of God. So, what does God want?

“He has shown you, O man, what is good;

​​And what does the LORD require of you

​​But to do justly,

​​To love mercy,

​​And to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Three of the key ingredients to a healthy and prosperous walk with God.

Do the right thing, better to error on mercy than judgement, and walk as if you are grateful for all God has done and realize we’re nothing without Him. Without these key ingredients in which there are no substitutes we are resisted by God.

“But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says:

“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.” Amen!

Written by Rob Russomano:Rob Russomano is married to Terri and serves with her as full-time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can reach him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.

Think About This: “Christ is a substitute for everything, but nothing is a substitute for Christ” -Harry Ironside

The Daily Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 7-9, Luke 1:21-38| You can download our 2019 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him. – Isaiah 30:18

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.

 

 

 

 

 

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