It is a great tragedy for God’s people when their leaders fail to care for them adequately. God holds leaders particularly accountable for the condition of His people. The New Testament tells church leaders, “Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (James 3:1). If God puts you in a position of leadership, remember that it is also a place of great responsibility. “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment,” James 3:1.

“Teachers” include pastor, church leaders, missionaries, preachers of the Word or anyone who gives instruction to a congregation. The teacher must understand that no one has a more solemn responsibility than those who teach God’s Word. In the future judgment, Christian teachers will be judged more strictly than other believers.

(6)God wants living rightly not just doing religious deeds. “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?
(7) 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?
(8) 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 6:6-8)

Israel responded to God’s request by trying to appease him with sacrifices, hoping he would then leave them alone. But sacrifices and other religious rituals aren’t enough; God wants changed lives. He wants his people to be fair, just, merciful, and humble. God wants us to become living sacrifices (Rom 12:1, 2), not just doing religious deeds, but living rightly (Jeremiah 4:4; Heb 9:14). It is impossible to follow God consistently without his transforming love in our hearts.

(6:8) People have tried all kinds of ways to please God (6:6,7), but God has made his wishes clear: he wants his people to be just, merciful, and to walk humbly with Him. In your efforts to please God, examine these areas on a regular basis. Are you fair in your dealings with people? Do you show mercy to those who wrong you? Are you learning humility?

(9) God hates offerings, worship and service from a heart that is covering up sin.

“And Saul said: “They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen, to sacrifice to the Lord your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed,” (1Sam 15:15).
Saul was told to destroy everything, but he kept part of the plunder, including the choicest livestock.
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