Be Ethical

Read: Micah 6:6-8

And this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

IN WORD

“Good” isn’t relative with God. Human beings may have different ways of defining it, but God’s character doesn’t shift with circumstances or suffer from comparison with other ideals. No, He is the source of all goodness; it all flows from Him. So when He tells us what is good, we need to embrace His description tightly.

What is good in the eyes of God? To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk in humility with Him. The first two may seem contradictory to modern ears; how do we balance justice and mercy, after all? But when we understand that the prophetic call to justice is not about punishing wrongdoers but about defending those to whom wrong has been done, we understand. Justice and mercy go together. Defenders of the oppressed and hurting are merciful. If that means wrongdoers must be stopped, so be it. But they should be stopped by those who, like God, prefer mercy over judgment. They must do what is necessary to end the injustice or its recurrence without becoming oppressors themselves. They must love mercy and be meticulously ethical.

This is foundational to Kingdom culture. Many people have come to God for salvation but have not given Him their offenses, their bitterness, or their desire for revenge. They have asked for His mercy without extending it to others. They have humbled themselves in His sight while taking pride in how they compare with those around them. It’s a huge contradiction that doesn’t fit the Kingdom. They love mercy for themselves and judgment against others. And that offends the heart of God.

IN DEED

Never seek spiritual gifts, spiritual growth, or spiritual fruit without also anchoring yourself in justice and mercy for those who have been beaten up by the world. Embrace the kind of humility that always seeks good, even at the expense of your own goals. Recognize the character of the Kingdom and seek ways to express it. Especially to those who need to experience it.

ADDITIONAL READING: Matthew 18:21-35

The pearl of justice is found in the heart of mercy.

CATHERINE OF SIENA