“Lock’em up! Throw away the key!” Ever heard that or said it?
How about this – “Well, he made his bed so let him lie in it!”
Or, this – “He’s just too stupid to matter.”
In a nation that talks about opportunity and freedom there is a fact that begs us to think about our policies. The U.S. has one of the world's highest incarceration rates, holding nearly 2 million people in jails and prisons, with rates around 540-600 per 100,000. For all the rhetoric about turning criminals loose on the streets, we sure to lock up a lot of people. Might we need to think about the roots of the problem?
Then, too, our political system is completely broken – without any desire to try to understand or converse. The ‘win’ is valued above all. Christians are some of the worst offenders in this ‘game,’ quick to judge, captive of slogans and memes.
The wisdom of the Perfect Man asks those of us who are His followers to be radically different. We are to be known for quality love and filled with compassionate mercy. Jesus says – “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5)
What is mercy?
It shows another compassion or forgiveness when
we have the upper hand, when we enjoy the power to punish!
Mercy goes beyond withholding judgment out of politeness as in thinking ‘what
an idiot’ but not saying it aloud.
Mercy causes a person to consider the needs of the other, to actively pursue
the best interest of one that may well justly deserve anger or rejection.
Mercy is not to be confused with being naïve or incapable of facing reality like a grandmother who just cannot face up to the truth about her beloved grandson who constantly rebels and for whom she makes all kinds of excuses.
You might object to what I have said responding - “But, Jerry, I love justice! I want the score settled, bad guys put in their place.” Funny thing about justice. WE all want it for other guys, but when we’re jammed up, we want mercy.
Mercy asks us to consider the possibility of redemption or change. We get angry when someone is unkind, or selfish, or hurtful and we want them to pay … except that our God calls us to be different. The ancient preacher was inspired by the Spirit to teach us the way to please God. Listen to his words. “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God.” (Micah 6)
The mercy
to which God calls us is modeled after His own.
He knows us inside
out, seeing our core motives, knowing even our ‘secret’ sins and He holds out
hope and renewal.
"Where is another God like you, who
pardons the sins of the survivors among his people? You cannot stay angry with
your people forever, because You delight in showing mercy. Once again
you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and
throw them into the depths of the ocean!" (Micah 7:18-19, NLT)
When we keep a careful record of every slight, every hurt, and press for ‘justice’ (think revenge) and refuse to be merciful – we become captives of anger, and we become sour and cynical. No wonder Jesus tells us mercy is a choice that leads to ‘blessedness.’
I am captured by the full impact of Jesus’ words that remind us that WHEN we show mercy, we are banking a reserve of mercy for that inevitable moment when we will desire it.
Listen to
your words, inventory your thoughts.
Are they harsh?
Are you a critic?
Do you blame and judge frequently?
Our word
from the Word calls us, in the Spirit, to a new way.
"Never pay back evil for evil to
anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do
your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.
Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, “I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,” says the Lord.
Instead, do what the Scriptures say: “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you.” Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good." (Romans 12:17-21, NLT)
Father, help us! It’s hard to let You judge, to release those who hurt us from our condemnation. Teach us to be merciful. In Jesus’ name. Amen
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Video of this blog https://www.youtube.com/@JerScott55
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