To love mercy

…O people, 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 (New Living Translation)

It’s hard to fathom. In the news as I write this is the report of the deaths of 7 people in Cambodia, three of them young teens. They all suffocated at the bottom of a 16-foot water well trying to retrieve the equivalent of 75 cents that had been accidently dropped into it. It’s hard to grasp the level of poverty that would drive people to make such an attempt. Heartbreaking poverty is real and it exists in every corner of the world, even in our own state and city.

The prophet Micah was speaking to Israelites who were enjoying a relatively comfortable life. Israel was prosperous and strong. Their prosperity came at the expense of their morals and integrity. Shady business deals were commonplace. The poor were neglected. They had become complacent in their worship. They brought their offerings to the temple, but their hearts were not into the way of God. Micah reminded them that God sought their full commitment. In God’s economy, God’s people have at the core of their faith a requirement to show God’s mercy to others.

Jesus emphasized this as well. Jesus’ parting words to Peter in the Gospel of John were to “feed my sheep” (John 21: 15-17). In other words, take care of the people I give you. That’s a pretty big flock! Jesus called his followers to make disciples of all nations. Jesus basically gave us the world to look after. This includes God special concern for the poor and brokenhearted. Bring the poor justice. Show mercy to the brokenhearted.

With God’s requirement comes God’s empowerment. God’s Spirit gives us the energy and the sensitivity to serve the Lord and serve others. This is truly good news. God helps us live out the life to which we are called. The Lord is always
with us!

To me, there is nothing more satisfying than helping out someone who is in need. It’s a great feeling to make a tangible difference in the life of another person! Perhaps this makes it possible to, as Micah says, “love mercy.” Love the chances to make a difference in the life of others. Embrace the opportunities to serve others that God puts in your path. Cherish your God-given role to extend God’s mercy and help. This is the way of God that brings you fulfillment.

Peacemaking begins in the heart

"Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-10

Many people are resigned to the notion that humanity will destroy itself. We’ve become resigned to the idea that people ultimately cannot get along. A poll taken by the Associated Press a few years ago indicated that six out of 10 American adults believe that world War III is inevitable.

Peter, one of Jesus’ first disciples, wanted Christians to understand that they must live in harmony with each other and with the world. He understood that making peace in our chaotic and contentious world begins in the heart. Take a look again at how the scripture above begins. Notice the words he uses: “unity,” “sympathy,” “love,” “tender,” and “humble.” Making peace begins with the attitude of our hearts.

Most people seem to concern themselves with changing the whole world—they have a very global vision. Peter’s vision begins with our own hearts. For Christians, peacemaking does not begin with a question like, “How can I get the Arabs and Jews to get along?” Peacemaking for Christians begins with questions like these:

How do I get along with my brother . . . my sister?

How do I keep working with the person in the next cubicle who is really annoying me?

How do I treat the kid at school who keeps making fun of me?

How do I maintain a relationship with my parents when they clearly don’t understand me?

How do I live in peace with my neighbor when his dog keeps coming into my yard to do his business?

How can I continue to volunteer in this church when my committee chair is not doing her job?

How do I keep my cool with my kids when they are being so disrespectful?

These questions represent the beginning of peacemaking. Peacemaking begins when we’re willing to look at us . . . at ourselves. Peacemaking begins when we’re willing to check the attitude of our heart and begin to deal with the deep down feelings of hurt and distrust we may have accumulated over time. Peace making begins with purging our hearts of attitudes and stereotypes that keep us from living in unity with one another.

Here’s where Jesus comes in…we can’t make these heart changes without Christ’s Spirit working within us—growing in us the fruit of peace (Galatians 5:22-23). The apostle Paul says that the fruit of peace grows in us as we practice Christ’s commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves and as we prayerfully yield our lives to the guidance of the Spirit. My prayer for us all is that the fruit of peace will grow in all of us and that we will bear the fruit of peace in our chaotic and contentious world.