- photo by Susan PageYears ago, when I worked in a Christian Bookstore, a title often asked for was How Shall We Then Live, written by Francis A. Schaeffer. Schaeffer was considered one of the foremost evangelical thinkers of the twentieth century. He wrote about the fate of the declining Western culture and argued that living by the Christian ethic and the Bible's morals and values is the only true solution.

Fast forward almost 50 years when this topic is just as relevant, if not more so.

On the first Sunday of 2025, the thought-provoking question asked at the beginning of the sermon was “What is God passionate about?” followed by the reference to this well-known scripture verse: “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)."

I’ve thought a lot about this message, even more so since watching the funeral service for former President, Jimmy Carter.

James Earl Carter was the 39th President of the United States. He was the longest-living President and the first to reach the age of 100. He was remembered more for his life of service both before and after his Presidency. His humanitarian efforts awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. President Carter was a dedicated family man who led by example. He freely shared his faith, not merely by words, but by actions. It was therefore very proper that Michah 6:8 was quoted during the homily at his funeral.

Jimmy Carter treated people fairly. He believed all people are created equal. He once said he remembered a line someone had told him that had stuck with him, … “To love God is to love the person standing before you at any given time.” His friends and family described Jimmy as a man of honesty, truth-telling, peace and compassion. “He told the truth, obeyed the law and kept the peace.” He upheld justice and decency and was filled with determination and discipline. He taught Sunday School and Bible studies every week until his health failed him.

Jimmy believed we must accommodate changing times while sticking to principles which never change. That is, to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. Jimmy and his wife Rosalynn manifested the truth of this verse in practical ways, one being their work with Habitat for Humanity. Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity was one of the many passions they fulfilled in serving others.

In the message on the first Sunday of the New Year, the pastor reminded us that faith without works is dead. “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2: 14-17).

The pastor used a thought-provoking phrase to describe what it means to walk humbly with our God; … “It is an absence of ill-will towards others and an absence of self-will before God.”

While we can look at many examples of people who live out Micah 6:8 in beautiful and practical ways, the greatest example of justice, mercy, love and humility is our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The title of this devotional reads, “He Has Shown Us.” Jesus was and is the greatest love story ever told, and His life modelled the words found in Micah 6:8.

When asked “What is the greatest commandment?” Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).

Yes, indeed, “He Has Shown Us.”

By God’s grace, may we act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God through the power and the strength of the Holy Spirit who lives and dwells within us.

Susan Page is the daughter of the King, His beloved child, wonderfully forgiven and blessed! Susan longs to age gracefully, becoming more like Jesus as she seeks the hidden treasures revealed to her through Scripture, literature, the arts, humankind, and nature.