And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”( Micah 6:8)

When I was younger I would recite that verse once a week when I was part of G.E.M.S (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior). Looking back now, I realized how influential this verse was to me. The pillars of the verse have been threads throughout my life. 

As I have developed I have realized that I have a strong sense of justice. I try to do the right thing and I feel really strongly in doing what is right. I have also taken a spiritual gift’s test and it has shown that one of my top gifts is mercy. I have a couple of examples of when people really wronged me, but for some reason I really can’t stay angry at them. I have chosen to move on.

MLK Embodies Micah 6:8

Today is MLK Day and I also can’t help but think of Martin Luther King when I think of this verse. He embodied this verse: 

• His life work was devoted to seeking justice for marginalized groups reminding everyone that every individual is a child of God.
•  Though violence was waged against him, MLK constantly preached a message of love and mercy. He called on people not to take up violent means but show mercy against those who persecuted them.
• He used his gift as a preacher to lead the Civil Rights movement. His writings and speeches are filled with references to God and the kingdom. When things looked hopeless, he reminded the people in whom their hope and strength laid.

 Are You Seeking Justice & Mercy?

Christians need a reminder that seeking justice and showing mercy to others is not only godly, but is EXPECTED of believers. I feel like too often Christians now focus on “superficial” things claiming this is what God truly wants us to focus on. The truth is, God wants us to focus on TRUE justice and mercy. What we need to remember is that:

•   It was through the prophet Amos that God expressed His disappointment in Israel not caring for the poor and needy. And because the Israelites didn’t follow this command of God, and others, they were to be punished. “This is what the Lord says: For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not relent. They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed.” (Amos 2:6-7)
• Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for abandoning the true teaching of Christ.  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23). 

What to do Now?

So, I encourage believers to let Martin Luther King Day serve as a reminder that not only is there work still to be done, but that this work is godly work.

Here are some simple ways to start seeking justice and mercy in your own life:

• Take a moment to reflect the role justice and mercy plays in your life. How do you view these two things?
• Reflect on how you view and treat the needy of society today? In what ways can you improve?
• Read the book of Amos (9 chapters) to see how important justice is to God.
• What areas do you feel need the most improvement in terms of justice?
• What are 3 simple things you can do today to improve justice and mercy in your life? Start small!