Matthew 23:23
“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. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”
This is day three on the topic of mercy. I going to focus on the legalistic mind. It earns acceptance based on actions. It doesn’t rely on God. It doesn’t require mercy, for it’s done all the work. It takes pride in a job well done. But it’s mistaken. God isn’t pleased.
A legalistic mind can be inherited from church. It may emphasize works to earn God’s pleasure. It doesn’t say it, but the sense is “I hope I’ve done enough by the time I die.” Rather than resting on the work of Christ, they see the cross as a supplement to what I couldn’t do. “Let’s hope that I’ve done my part.” This is not biblical.
A legalistic mind can be inherited from parents. If they aren’t accepting, then the child attempts to earn favor by actions. Perfectionism can be a manifestation of legalism.
Mercy isn’t part of legalism. The person must work to earn. It’s a sad place, for we all need God’s help. The legalist doesn’t think it’s available. They must achieve so much. They weren’t given mercy, so they don’t understand it. They aren’t able to give it.
Mercy is not part of the legalist’s world. They don’t even know it exists. All they are aware of is they they had better get busy with all that’s ahead of them. Productivity. There isn’t room for vulnerable emotions: this is hard, afraid I can’t do it, I need rest, can someone help me,…
Jesus was angry with the pharisees for they were legalists. He could have sympathy for them as individuals. The problem was they were leaders who weren’t demonstrating mercy to the people. They were misrepresenting God. He has compassion and wants to help.
Lord, help us to know Your mercy and to share it with others.