The Micah 6:8 lifestyle – taking responsibility for our response to the poor

Micah 6:8

It seems very clear from this scripture that God wants us to live a lifestyle of love, not just do random acts of kindness to tick a box. As you look at God's instruction here, you can only act justly if you walk humbly! When you walk in humility, it means that you leave pride behind, and your attitude to other people is one of love and grace and a recognition that I am not better, more worthy, more important, more valuable or entitled than anyone else! Once you have that revelation, it will cause you to live a justice lifestyle! You'll not be able to help get angry about how people are treated or marginalised because of their postcode, colour, circumstances, or condition! Instead, it will cause you to reach out with Mercy, Love, Grace and Kindness.

Sometimes we get all these big spiritual words mixed up: Justice/Mercy/Righteousness/Grace. 

Brad Jersak in Can You Hear Me? gives a helpful explanation, particularly of justice and mercy:

‘Mercy is like the ambulance at the bottom of a cliff ready to help those who fall. Justice builds a fence at the top of the cliff to protect them from falling in the first place.

'Mercy wipes the tears from their eyes. Justice asks, ‘Why are you crying?’

'Mercy welcomes the hungry to gather around God’s banqueting table. Justice addresses why some are under the table aching of hunger while others are sitting on top of the table aching from gluttony. Mercy seeks and saves those lost in the darkness. Justice asks, ‘Why is it dark? Who is keeping it dark? Who is benefitting from this darkness? Is it I Lord?’

The fact that we have received justice, mercy and grace in our own lives should create both a sense of desire and responsibility to extend that to others. We are called to demonstrate God's heart here on the earth. Jesus said, ‘Freely you have received now freely give’.

'To be neutral in a situation of injustice is to have chosen sides already. It is to support the status quo.’ Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Pray

(If comfortable to do so, lay your hand on your head) – Lord, would you renew our minds, give us a fresh revelation of who you are, of who we are and the value of others.

(Lay hand on heart) – break our hearts for what breaks yours, everything I am for your Kingdoms cause.

(Hold up your hands) – Take these hands and use them to reach out and bring healing, to comfort, to give money, to write letters, to advocate and to hold the hands of the poor and connect them with the hands of Jesus! Amen!