Expectations

God’s Expectation of Us: To Practice Justice, Mercy & Humility (Micah 3:9-12, 6:6-8) What the Lord requires/demands (Micah 6:8): Act Justly God’s people have a duty to call for/seek/work for justice. (Isa. 58:6 & 7, 59:4 & 16, Ps. 82:4 & 5, Amos 5:24, Luke 6:36, Phil. 4:8, see also Matt. 23:23) New York’s former Mayor Laguardia, while a judge, once fined an entire courtroom to pay for the fine of a person who was found guilty of stealing a loaf of bread, because they, he said ,we are at fault for not feeding him in the first place. Justice and truth are linked (Isa. 59:4 & 9) God objects to distorting what is right. (Micah 3:9) (Modern day press secretaries call this “spin”) Justice requires equity (fairness & impartiality). (Isa. 59:9) God’s justice is summed up in the “Golden Rule”: "Do to others as you would have them do to you." We are incapable of perfect justice on our own. (Ecc. 7:20) We require the help of God’s Holy Spirit. Love Mercy The Hebrew word translated "mercy" is hesed (Greek: eleos). It can be rendered: "mercy," "extraordinary kindness," "loving-kindness," “abundant love” or "unfailing love." Literally it means to bow out of kindness to an inferior. We are required to not only show mercy but to love mercy (implies a deep devotion to or passion for). We are called to love are neighbor as ourselves. (Luke 10:25) Jesus clarifies the meaning of this in the parable of the good Samaritan. (Luke 10:30-37). The Samaritan went out of his way to do something, freely and willingly, he took the initiative to get involved in a situation where a person was in need, with no expectation of repayment or reciprocity. Notice the race, ethnicity, religion, etc. of the victim is not made plain here. Why? Because it shouldn’t matter! When Jesus asked the lawyer "Who was the neighbor?" the lawyer replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus then told him, "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37). There are many other times in the Bible where God reminds us of his mercy, and commands us to be merciful in return. (consider the stories of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32, the Rich Man and Lazarus, Luke 16:19-31, and the Unmerciful Servant, Matt. 18:21-35) Jesus told us "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matt. 9:13 quoting Hosea 6:6, see also Matt. 12:7) An old Russian Proverb states that mercy/clemency is the support of justice. This is echoed in James 2:13, "Mercy triumphs over judgment."

Showing mercy has its own rewards. (Prov. 14:21-22 & 31) Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy." (Matt 5:7) and "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." (Matt. 6:12) In seeking pardon from our Father for our sin, we must be able to approach Him with a clear conscience. When I ask to be forgiven for my sins, can I say that I have been forgiving to others who have wronged me? Have I shown others mercy in the manner I hope to receive from my Lord? The ability to demonstrate mercy is a spiritual gift and should be given cheerfully. (Rom. 12:6-8) Shakespeare wrote in The Merchant of Venice: The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes. Mercy shows our Christian character and draws others to us, as it drew sinners to Jesus. (Luke 7:44-47) It seems a very small boy was sent out on the streets of New York City to sell apples. Some other boys with a real streak of meanness ran around a corner and knocked the boy and his apple cart for a loop. A man came by at that time and helped the boy get up and then picked up his cart and helped set the apples in place. He then bought several of the damaged apples from the boy and gave him a large tip in addition to paying for the apples. As he walked away he was startled to hear the boy call out, "Hey mister, are you Jesus?" God-like mercy/kindness is extraordinary and therefore stands out and is easy to recognize. Walk Humbly with Your God (see Isaiah Chapter 58) Your “walk” is how you live, day by day. To “walk” requires effort. To walk humbly with God means that you let God lead the way, and you follow. Moses tells us that if we walk in accord with God’s law He will walk with us & bless us, but if we don’t, He will walk in opposition to us. (Lev. 26:3, see also Deut. 10:12) It means that you walk in a agreement with God. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 2:3) The Holy Spirit brings us into agreement with God through His Word. Paul tells us to walk in the Spirit. (Gal. 5:16 & 25) Coming into agreement with God means making certain adjustments in your life and lifestyle that brings you into harmony with the character and lifestyle of Jesus Christ. (2 John 6)