Micah 6:8

8And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

 

How can you have JUSTICE and MERCY at the same time?

 

JUSTICE is giving someone what they truly deserve for what they have done….it is applying the punishment that is due to fit the crime.

MERCY is not giving someone what they truly deserve for what they have done…..is applying a “look the other way” mentality in order to avoid giving them what is due for their crime.

 

So how do you act justly and love mercy at the same time?

 

You bring in Jesus.

 

Jesus is the perfect meeting of Justice and Mercy.  He paid for our crimes and gives us full mercy at the cross……As He proclaimed in His last moments (John 19:28):

 

It is finished = It is paid in full

 

(Tetelestai….A Greek word to indicate that a receipt was:  paid in full)

 

I love that He did not just say:  It is paid.  He said:  it is paid IN FULL.  Our sin is not only overlooked—but fully forgiven and PAID FOR.  I love that we can use a money analogy for this…..I understand debt and owing someone.  And Jesus…..not only said you do not owe me….He paid off the debt that NO ONE gets shorted.

 

So today……let’s just focus on the simple message of the cross:

Jesus came down.

He fully experienced what all of us experience.

He was tempted in EVERY way that man is.

He was mistreated and falsely accused and disregarded.

He was tried and administered the punishment of a criminal and crucified between two thieves.

 

 

We must all come face to face with this information……and we then must come face to face with the reality of seeing it in our lives…….

 

So what does the Lord require of you?  To seek justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God………..

 

Respond to the gospel with gratitude and hope and love……and then go and give it away to all you know……

 

In The Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

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Coach J