Do Justice Love Mercy

May 23rd, 2022

By: David Hoskins

Micah 6:8 (NASB)

8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

Making a stand for righteousness is paramount if we desire to represent kingdom culture.

I’ve witnessed and been a part of ministries where key apostolic figures refuse to bring accountability and stand for righteousness in the lives of those under their care. Rather than confront iniquity or sin they abdicate their responsibility and fail to confront wrongdoing. The temptation is great for many to just stick their heads in the sand and hope things will pass. One of the fruits of kingdom culture is righteousness.

Romans 14:17 (NIV)

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

It is interesting to know that in the Spanish language the word righteousness and justice are the same words because they’re so closely related.

Many times leaders are simply not willing to administer justice to those under their care. Maybe they do not want to get their hands dirty. Maybe they do not want to be bogged down in the drama. Maybe maybe they’re scared they will hurt someone’s feelings. Whatever the reason it’s a poor excuse because righteousness is not to be compromise. It is a key dimension of kingdom culture.

1 Corinthians 6:5 (NIV)

5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?

If justice is not administered in our homes then we will provoke our children to wrath. If it is not administered in our churches then we are failing to model it for society. If we fail to model it for society and yet we preach that Jesus is the answer then our words have no weight.

If we fail to stand for and produce righteousness and justice then we cannot call ourselves apostolic.

Sometimes pastor gifts and teacher gifts have a difficult time distributing justice and administering righteousness. Often this is the case in the lives of people who are gifted in mercy, compassion or even encouragement. The strengths mentioned above tend to also express the weakness of not being confrontational.

Please do not missunderstand my point. To be compassionate and merciful is not a sign of weakness anymore then focusing upon truth and righteousness is a sign of weakness. Both of these are actual strengths however unless you combine them together you don’t have balance.

The Bible says in proverbs that we should bind mercy and truth about our neck that we might have favor with both God and man. Proverbs also tells us that mercy and truth have met together. In one of the translations it says that they have kissed. The point I am making is that we need both mercy and truth if we are to deal with iniquity.

Proverbs 16:6 (KJV)

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Unfortunately these two traits do not always dwell in the same leader. Sometimes one of the traits overshadows the other one in such a manner that the person is out of balance unless they connect and align with other people who bring balance or courage to their processes. For this reason many times in the home the husband will be more of an authoritarian while the wife will often times be more compassionate and merciful. This is not always the case but gender certainly plays into this dynamic. In the home, mother tends to be more lenient than the father hence the phrase “wait till your father gets home”. I don’t remember anyone ever saying wait till your mother gets home. This is not to say that mothers cannot administer justice and accountability. It simply means that, for the most part, fathers were made for it. So it is with the fivefold. Some of the graces have a tendency to be strong in certain areas and weak in others. This is not a negative if we understand the importance of alignment. We align with apostles because they’re willing to say what others only think. They are willing tondo what is necessary to hold the standard. Apostles are bold because righteousness is primary. It is for this reason that the husband is the head of the home and it is for this reason that apostles are listed in scripture as chronologically first in the administration of the kingdom. Some aspects of the kingdom are not up for debate. Justice and righteousness fall into that category. The Bible says a person who refuses to discipline their children hates their children. What an indictment against a leader who refuses to bring discipline within their sphere when unrighteousness is reigning.

One of the churches in the book of revelation was accused of tolerating Jezebel. True apostles will not let that take place. Unfortunately many churches and ministries are overtaken if a spirit of Jezebel targets them because they have no backbone to shut her down and deal with her. The reason they fail to deal with her is because she inhabits the Saints. Through their actions they manifest her fruit. Leaders must learn to deal with spirits of control, spirits which undermine truth, spirits which sow discord, gossip and attempt to create division.

Revelation 2:19-23 (NASB)

19 ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. 20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality. 22 Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.

True Apostles help us stay on task and deal with issues that need to be dealt with. They help us finish well. Accountability is a part of the administrative process. To skip it is to leave out a huge portion of kingdom culture.

Psalms 89:14 (KJV)

14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne:

mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

Leaders have to align themselves in such a way that justice and mercy are measured in the proper way. Pastors and teachers need apostles, prophets and evangelists and vice versa. The fivefold only operates in its fullness when it operates from a team paradigm.

Righteousness and justice are not negotiable!

Proverbs 21:3 (NASB)

3 To do righteousness and justice

Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.