As we dove into God's heart for justice last week, it opens the door for us to ask:
Is God's perspective of justice possible without mercy?
We often see the words "justice and mercy" side by side,
I know that I often look at them as two scales that must be balanced.
But what if Jesus meant for the scales of our blindfolded "Lady of Justice" to fall off in favor of mercy?
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." Mt. 5: 7
It haunts me that in our day and culture that we may think of mercy as being a sign of weakness as it was when Jesus walked the earth:
"The Romans did not care for mercy at all. They saw it as a weakness, not a virtue. One Roman philosopher called mercy "a disease of the soul." The Romans glorified justice and courage and discipline and power.
They didn't value mercy in their culture...
What happens when we don't value mercy enough in ours, either?.
Mercy means having compassion or giving forgiveness towards someone who one has the power to punish. It forebears punishing even when justice demands it.
So Here's the seeming intersection of justice and mercy:
Justice is the prophetic message of God's Word.
But Mercy is something we DO.... after we have encountered the mercy that God has showered upon us.
It's not just a theological concept-it's action that we extend to others because God infinitely extends His mercy to us... 24/7!
One of the most common facets of Jesus' teaching is the link between our relationship with God and our relationship with others.
How we treat others, he revealed, is how our heavenly Father will treat us.
Much of contemporary (and politicized) Christianity, however, seeks to sever this link. Those who are comfortable praising God while showing contempt for people look more like the Pharisees who killed Jesus than the disciples who followed him.
So Isn't mercy a bullseye into God's heart of justice?
Real mercy is compassion in action!
Sometimes we think people who are quick to seek justice are the most spiritual. But we must check our motives: It is quite possible that the opposite is true. When you truly have encountered God's mercy, you will also be a merciful person—not a critical or condemning one.
Prayer of Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
O eternal Mercy, you who cover over your creatures' faults!
It does not surprise me that you say of those who leave deadly sin behind and return to you:
"I will not remember that you had ever offended me."
O unspeakable mercy!...
What mercy comes forth from your Godhead, eternal Father,
to rule the whole world with your power!...
Your mercy is life-giving. It is the light in which both the upright and sinners discover your goodness.
Your mercy shines forth in your saints in the height of heaven.
And if I turn to the earth, your mercy is everywhere....
In mercy you cleansed us in the blood;
in mercy you kept company with your creatures.
O mad Lover! It was not enough for you to take on our humanity:
You had to die as well!
O mercy! My heart is engulfed with the thought of you!
For wherever I turn my thoughts I find nothing but mercy!
O eternal Father, forgive my foolish presumption in babbling on so before you—
but your merciful love is my excuse in the presence of your kindness.
Amen.
From Lyn Woodruff in "The River Prayer and Presence" text group.
Is God's perspective of justice possible without mercy?
We often see the words "justice and mercy" side by side,
I know that I often look at them as two scales that must be balanced.
But what if Jesus meant for the scales of our blindfolded "Lady of Justice" to fall off in favor of mercy?
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." Mt. 5: 7
It haunts me that in our day and culture that we may think of mercy as being a sign of weakness as it was when Jesus walked the earth:
"The Romans did not care for mercy at all. They saw it as a weakness, not a virtue. One Roman philosopher called mercy "a disease of the soul." The Romans glorified justice and courage and discipline and power.
They didn't value mercy in their culture...
What happens when we don't value mercy enough in ours, either?.
Mercy means having compassion or giving forgiveness towards someone who one has the power to punish. It forebears punishing even when justice demands it.
So Here's the seeming intersection of justice and mercy:
Justice is the prophetic message of God's Word.
But Mercy is something we DO.... after we have encountered the mercy that God has showered upon us.
It's not just a theological concept-it's action that we extend to others because God infinitely extends His mercy to us... 24/7!
One of the most common facets of Jesus' teaching is the link between our relationship with God and our relationship with others.
How we treat others, he revealed, is how our heavenly Father will treat us.
Much of contemporary (and politicized) Christianity, however, seeks to sever this link. Those who are comfortable praising God while showing contempt for people look more like the Pharisees who killed Jesus than the disciples who followed him.
So Isn't mercy a bullseye into God's heart of justice?
Real mercy is compassion in action!
Sometimes we think people who are quick to seek justice are the most spiritual. But we must check our motives: It is quite possible that the opposite is true. When you truly have encountered God's mercy, you will also be a merciful person—not a critical or condemning one.
Prayer of Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
O eternal Mercy, you who cover over your creatures' faults!
It does not surprise me that you say of those who leave deadly sin behind and return to you:
"I will not remember that you had ever offended me."
O unspeakable mercy!...
What mercy comes forth from your Godhead, eternal Father,
to rule the whole world with your power!...
Your mercy is life-giving. It is the light in which both the upright and sinners discover your goodness.
Your mercy shines forth in your saints in the height of heaven.
And if I turn to the earth, your mercy is everywhere....
In mercy you cleansed us in the blood;
in mercy you kept company with your creatures.
O mad Lover! It was not enough for you to take on our humanity:
You had to die as well!
O mercy! My heart is engulfed with the thought of you!
For wherever I turn my thoughts I find nothing but mercy!
O eternal Father, forgive my foolish presumption in babbling on so before you—
but your merciful love is my excuse in the presence of your kindness.
Amen.
From Lyn Woodruff in "The River Prayer and Presence" text group.
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