It’s not like God requires a whole lot from us

[Micah 6:6-8]

Look again at what the prophet Micah wrote that God DOESN’T want.

If we’re not demonstrating our love for other people, God doesn’t want our worship. Now there’s a lot of talk, reaching, and preaching about having your heart right with God before any kind of true worship can occur. Okay, but that’s only HALF the truth. The other half is this: Unless your behavior toward other people is merciful, no amount of worship you aim at God scores with him. Even following the righteous example ofa patriarch like Abraham, who was willing to butcher his own son if God asked him to, doesn’t score with God.
(page 8)

And…

Don’t just stand there believing!
Imagine if a guest speaker preached at your church on a Sunday morning and said things like this:

Your faith is only as good as what you do, starting with taking care of the physical needs of people who have less than you do. If you’re stealing, stop it, and instead get a job so you have enough to give to those in need. If you, having more than you need, see someone who doesn’t have enough and is actually in need, how can you not have pity on them and share what you have? If you truly have God’s love in you, then don’t just talk about it – put some feet to it!*

*In case you’re wondering these are pretty darn accurate rephrasigins of James 2:14-17, Ephesians 4:28, and 1 John 3:17-18, respectively
(page 22)

The Rule of Abstinence
Some Christians argue that because alcohol is so easily abused, a godly Christian would never drink it. But if you follow that line of logic, you’ll also conclude that since sex is so easily abused by so many peaopl, a godly Christian would also abstain from all sexual activity. Or since money can so easily corrupt, a godly Christian will stay poor, or become poor if he’s rich. Yet nobody would say that about sex or money. God intended money, sex and alcohol to be blessings to man. And they are a source of blessing when used within the boundry of his moral law.
(page 31)

Bill also talks alot about Christian “add-on” rules, and how dangers they are. For example:

Other Christian Add-on Rules
I could provide a lengthy list of spiritual rules that would be as varied as the groups that enforce them. I know believers who judge others based on such things as:

* musical preference
* clothing style
* expressions of worship
* health (poor health shows lack of faith)
* wealth
* dancing
* hairstyle
* politcal views
* body piercing and tattoos

Of course the immediate response by many who insist on these standards is predictable: “If youdon’t live like that, unbelievers will view Christians as no different than the world.”

If you think that way I hate to burst your bubble, but unbelievers don’t care. It’s irrelevant to them how much you give to your church, whether you enjoy an occasional glass of wine, or whether you read your Bible every day. They care a lot more about how you treat them when they work as a chasier at the grocery store, or how you behave at your child’s sporting events, or whether you give to the drive to raise money for a local charity.
(page 36)