What steps can you take to prioritize justice, mercy, and faithfulness in daily life? Facing Jesus’ Words Head-On “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have neglected the weightier matters of the Law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” — Matthew 23:23 What Does Jesus Mean by “Weightier”? Justice, mercy, and faithfulness are not suggestions; they are the core of God’s moral law. External obedience (tithing, rituals, church attendance) matters, yet the Lord insists the inner life must set the pace for the outer life. Step 1: Begin with Your Heart Posture • Daily surrender: ask God to expose hypocrisy (Psalm 139:23-24). • Remember Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good… to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” • Keep the first commandment first (Matthew 22:37-38). Step 2: Practice Everyday Justice • Treat people with impartiality—home, workplace, church (James 2:1-4). • Keep promises, pay bills on time, give fair wages (Leviticus 19:13; Proverbs 3:27-28). • Speak up for the vulnerable: unborn, elderly, poor (Proverbs 31:8-9). • Refuse dishonest gain—no hidden fees, pirated media, shady deals (Proverbs 11:1). Step 3: Cultivate Mercy in Relationships • Remember God’s mercy to you (Ephesians 2:4-5). • Forgive quickly—70 × 7 is not hyperbole (Matthew 18:21-22). • Give practical help: meals, rides, childcare; “faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:15-17). • Speak kindly; a gentle answer turns away wrath (Proverbs 15:1). • Hosea 6:6: “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Step 4: Commit to Covenant Faithfulness • Guard your word—let “yes” be yes (Matthew 5:37). • Stay true in marriage (Hebrews 13:4). • Show up when you say you will—Sunday service, ministry teams, family events (Psalm 15:4). • Keep short accounts with God: confess sin daily (1 John 1:9). Step 5: Watch the Small Things • The Pharisees tithed garden herbs—good—but missed greater things. Balance both: – Give faithfully: finances, time, talents (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). – Examine motives—why you serve, post, speak (1 Corinthians 4:5). • Regular self-evaluation: “Am I growing in justice, mercy, faithfulness?” • Accountability partner or small group to keep you honest (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Living It Out: A Simple Daily Checklist 1. Morning: read a passage emphasizing God’s character (Psalms, Gospels, Prophets). 2. Ask: “Where can I act justly today?”—schedule it. 3. Pray for one person to whom you can show mercy; plan the action. 4. Review commitments—family, work, church; fulfill or renegotiate them. 5. Evening: thank God for His mercy shown, confess any lapse, rest in His faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23). |
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