Cornerstone Curriculum, Official Certification Edition - Mentor's Guide

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not interested in the wooden fulfillment of ritualistic obedience in an outward, formalistic manner. Rather, God wants the outward expression of an inward passion concerning his will and its fulfillment in our relationship with him and others. God asks that his people act justly, that is, that they express fairness and rightness in all of their dealings with others, that they love mercy, expressing authentic care and compassion in all facets of their relationships with others, and finally, walk humbly with their God, relating to God in gratitude and humility based upon his gracious covenant and care. God desires this throughout the Scriptures, so the demands here are neither novel nor scarce: Deut. 10.12-13 – And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, [13] and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good? 1 Sam. 15.22 – And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” Prov. 21.3 – To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Isa. 1.16-19 – Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, [17] learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. [18] “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord: “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. [19] If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” Isa. 58.6-11 – Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

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