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We Must Not Apologize for Mercy
How quickly we have forgotten Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
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 growing up in the evangelical church in Canada, we learned to sing Micah 6:8 to help us memorize it. Our pastors and Sunday school teachers and parents believed that this verse was the heart of our faith.
Justice and mercy.
These were deeply held values in the Christian circles I knew. We were taught that we should not be judgemental but merciful and loving toward all.
This week, a pastor gently asked the new president of the United States to have mercy, and he rebuked her, called her names, and demanded an apology. An apology, for calling for mercy.
And then, rather than rebuke the politician, who is clearly in the wrong, several evangelical leaders attacked this pastor for daring to plead for mercy. See, she made the critical mistake (in their eyes) of speaking up for those they deem to be evil demonic sinners who cannot be saved and must be wiped from the face of the earth.
