discipled living

Biblical Wisdom For Godly Living (Part 7)

God continues in Micah 6:8 and says, “Love Mercy” as one of the three requirements of God for the personal Walk. The act of Mercy is the truest act of Grace in the disciple’s life. Jesus demands Mercy of His disciples as evidenced in the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:12, “...and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.” Forgiveness is an act of mercy that is extended to those who have offended you. Mercy is an act of sacrifice that mirrors and act of Love.

It is interesting that God requires that we “Love Mercy”. What are the implications of Loving Mercy? One is simply that we pursue the things that we truly LOVE. We will do the things that we Love ungrudgingly and we will do it without having to be told. In fact, if we Love Mercy, then we will look for places and people to demonstrate mercy.

Mercy is almost always applied in circumstances where one person is at a distinct disadvantage in relationship to the person who has the clear advantage. Mercy mediates Justice, in that it does not always repay people according to what they deserve but rather in proportion to what they truly need to foster restoration and renewal. There is not greater example of Mercy than we find in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for people who hated His very appearing.

God tells us plainly of His Mercy in Romans 5:6-10

“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed His Great Love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right win God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s judgment. For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be delivered from the eternal punishment by His life."

This is the substance of Mercy that it takes people who are even your enemies and applies a measure of Love so profound that it overcomes the power of vengeance. Jesus told us to Love our Neighbor as We Love Ourselves. It is the heart of the Good Samaritan story (Luke 10:30ff) in the Scriptures. The Samaritan was hated, even despised by the very man he helped, yet He did not hesitate to work to restore His enemy to health and wellness; this is mercy.

 Next Week: Walk Humbly With Your God!