The Justice | Mercy Paradox
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?
Micah 6:8 NIV
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”
God’s truth is often found in paradox
The human mind and will are naturally geared to think in ways that are polarized – two polar opposites juxtaposed against one another:
- Black | White
- Right | Wrong
- Good | Bad
- Win | Lose
- Love | Hate
I’m sure this makes total sense to everyone reading this. The issue is, though, that this is not how God thinks or wants us to think Things that are black and white in life leave little room or need for faith. As humans, we don’t like anything that we cannot know or control. That’s precisely why we try to steer clear of anything that isn’t knowable, controllable, or predictable.
Faith lies between the two opposites
“We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything” (2 Corinthians 6:8-120 ESV)
“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39)
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (Philippians 3:7)
“The greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11)
“When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
“There is one who scatters, yet increases more” (Proverbs 11:24)
“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28) vs. “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24)
“I did not come to judge the world” (John 12:47) vs. “For judgment I have come into this world” (John 9:39).
“The way is hard that leads to life” (Matthew 7:14, ESV) vs. “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).
“Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1) vs. “Judge with right judgment” (John 7:24)
“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6)
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up (James 4:10)
“Whoever wants to be greatest, should be everyone’s servant” (Matthew 23:11)
“Anyone who wants to be first, must be the very last” (Mark 9:35)
“Whoever tries to keep their lives will lose it, and whoever loses their lives will keep it” (Luke 17:33)
“Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, yet possessing everything” (2 Corinthians 6:10)
“When we are weak we are strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
“Count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (James 1:2)
God’s paradoxes must translate into our everyday life
A life surrendered to Christ is not necessarily defined merely by improved morality, more church attendance, a heightened prayer life, trying harder to be a better person, or memorizing more scripture. No, the greatest indication of the presence of God’s Spirit within will be seen when we consistently deny our human nature and choose to obey the profound, paradoxical ways of God’s word.
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