"No, o Israel, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
(Micah 6:8 NLT)
Hello, Mrs. Kurtz.
(Cont'd) "Love mercy": I was very confused when I read this originally...what does it mean to "love mercy"? So, like any 21st century kid with a question that needs to be answered, I turned to Google.
Essentially mercy is choosing to be kind and loving toward others even when they don't deserve it. It is responding to being wronged with compassion rather than resentment, just like Christ does for me, a sinner.
"For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time--to show us His grace through Christ Jesus". (2 TImothy 1:9)
I am to follow Jesus' example and show mercy (undeserved grace) to others.
Here are some links to sites I found helpful for this:
Undeserved Mercy: The Faithfulness of God's Forgiveness
Things That Matter (Micah 6:8) - Pastor Daniel Fusco
Got Questions: What does it mean to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8)?
Dear friend,
Mercy:
"compassion or forgiveness shown
toward someone whom it is
within one's power to punish or harm".
"For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time--to show us His grace through Christ Jesus". (2 TImothy 1:9)
I am to follow Jesus' example and show mercy (undeserved grace) to others.
Here are some links to sites I found helpful for this:
Undeserved Mercy: The Faithfulness of God's Forgiveness
Things That Matter (Micah 6:8) - Pastor Daniel Fusco
Got Questions: What does it mean to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8)?
Dear friend,
We will spend the rest of our lives reveling in words like "mercy"! It is so simple, yet so profound, so difficult to understand, yet so easy. God is merciful. He who has all power and every right to judge delights in mercy, and so will His people, if His Spirit is within them.
Do you remember the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) that we discussed last week? What made him a "neighbor" was his act of showing mercy--in a situation where he didn't have to be involved, and when it cost him both time and money.
An equally telling passage is the encounter Jesus had with a woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). Asked to judge the woman, Jesus challenges the men to examine themselves first. They all left, until only Jesus and the woman were remaining. Then He spoke with her. I'd like you to reflect on this passage, considering the following questions:
We'll talk more about this in the days to come. I want to end with a reminder today. Remember that we are to "do what is right," "love mercy," and "walk humbly with our God". The three together are our calling. To focus on one disproportionately to the others is to neglect the full meaning. It is only with the Lord's help that we will ever be able to live righteously.
Do you remember the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) that we discussed last week? What made him a "neighbor" was his act of showing mercy--in a situation where he didn't have to be involved, and when it cost him both time and money.
An equally telling passage is the encounter Jesus had with a woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). Asked to judge the woman, Jesus challenges the men to examine themselves first. They all left, until only Jesus and the woman were remaining. Then He spoke with her. I'd like you to reflect on this passage, considering the following questions:
- How did Jesus challenge the men?
- Why did they leave?
- Why did Jesus not judge the woman?
- What did Jesus say to the woman?
- What does it mean?
We'll talk more about this in the days to come. I want to end with a reminder today. Remember that we are to "do what is right," "love mercy," and "walk humbly with our God". The three together are our calling. To focus on one disproportionately to the others is to neglect the full meaning. It is only with the Lord's help that we will ever be able to live righteously.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving us Your Word! In it we read of You, and You are in all ways good and righteous. We want to be like You, transformed by Your Word, and conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Will You teach us to love mercy? Will You help us to understand the balance between justice and mercy? Will You enable us to walk humbly with You, trusting You to guide us in each circumstance?
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