The Things You Are to Do

“These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other and render true and sound judgment in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord. (Zechariah 8:16–17, NIV 1984).

My Musings – These (lies, injustice, oppression, dishonesty) are not the only things that the Lord hates. But they are in direct opposition of the things that are foundational to living a life that is pleasing to Him (truth, justice, mercy and honesty). As we practice these principles, they should no longer just be the things that we do, they should become the kind of people we are. We grow from doing to being. A huge difference.

My Advice – These things are commendable things to do. But unless our outer doings are a reflection of our inner being, we are on way to becoming modern-day Pharisees. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but, on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” (Matthew 23:27–28, NIV 1984).

This “woe” should make us pause and reconsider (“whoa”), why we do the things we do.

Author: thebrewisamusing

I was raised in a Christian family and my earliest childhood memories include regular Sunday school and Church attendance as a family. I was taught that our Judeo-Christian values were not just a part of our Sunday routine they should be part of our character and influence all aspects of our lives. I was also taught that as important as these values were they could not save us. We must also be “born again” by accepting Christ. View all posts by thebrewisamusing