Are you compassionate towards all people and are you concerned with social justice?
This is an aspect of loving others as you would want to be loved. Regardless of where we were born, where we reside, our skin color, economic status, or belief system each human was created in the likeness and image of God (Gen. 1:26). Every human is valuable to Him. Someone who is progressively falling in love with God and wants to honor and glorify Him will grow increasingly sensitive to the conditions that his/her fellow humans. They will become compassionate toward their fellow humans plight and concerned with righting those who have been wronged. Their character will be marked by the Golden Rule. (Luke 6:31-38). They will be compassionate, merciful, and just toward all people because God’s way of treating people has become their way.
The poll question is the very definition of mercy ... and one of the most difficult things to discern. How many times have you passed a panhandler without giving? They all seem to be in great need, yet many of us make judgments and pass on giving.
What if we were panhandlers and God drove by and decided not give? Where would be?
One of the cool things about God is that as we draw closer to God and he pours more of himself into us, there will come a point when we start reflecting many of God's attributes, including his mercy. As we see how undeserving we are in times of great need and how God meets where we are, we experience his mercy.
Some get a sense of mercy when they throw themselves at the mercy of the court. They have been convicted of a crime, know that they are undeserving of escaping punishment, and are in great need of relief. Before the judge, they plead with him to reduce or waive the sentence. They are at the judge's mercy.
Likewise, a child is at his/her parent's mercy when they get caught red handed doing something that they are not suppose to do, then the child pleads and cajoles begging for the parent's mercy.
“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” – Lord Acton
Is God sensitive toward the powerless? Is he concerned about the well-being of those who are underneath your authority?
You bet he is. God knows that power can lead to abuse and often does. Yet, he has designed our social systems – church, government, work, welfare, and family – with order and authority. He knows without it, there would be chaos. Because he knows this tension, he has set down clear standards on how those in authority ought to live their lives. Below are a few examples.