Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ¹²  And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”

 ¹³  And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.”

 ¹⁴  Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?”  And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”  Luke 3:10-14  (Emphasis added.)

Let us be like the crowds and seek specific answers to how we can “bear fruits in keeping with repentance”.  Let us also ask:  “Then what shall we do?”

It is helpful to consider that two out of the three specific answers provided by John the Baptist could be summarized as justice with the remaining answer summarized as mercy.  “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” and “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.” are justice.  Sharing is mercy.

“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?”  Micah 6:8  (Emphasis added.)

Let us also consider what delights our LORD.  Let us consider what our LORD does.  “but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:24.  (Emphasis added.)  

So, here are two questions for us to consider every day.  First, we should ask “How can I do justice today?”.  Second, we should ask “How can I be merciful today?”. 

Concerning doing justice, as a business owner, we may ask:  “Do I provide good products and good services?” and “Do I charge justly for my products and services?” and “Do I pay my employees a good wage and treat them good?” and “Do I pay my employees and my suppliers as quickly as I can?” or “Do I take unfair advantage of my employees and suppliers and pay them as little as possible and make them wait for payment as long as I can?”  

Concerning justice, as an employee, we may ask:  “Do I follow my employer’s instructions?” and “Do I do good work for my employer?” or “Do I steal time or supplies?” 

Concerning mercy, we all may ask how we can best share.  Let us consider all of our resources that we can share.  We can share money.  We can share clothes and food.  We can share skills by helping someone.  We can share helpful ideas.  We can share a Scripture.  We can share a prayer by praying for someone else.  We can even share a smile and other encouragement and other comfort. 

In conclusion, we all need God to give us the will to do His will.  We all need God to work within us.  Let us read and remember verses such as the following verses.  “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23.  Through God’s grace and work within us, let us eagerly look for opportunities today to do justice and mercy.