“A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.” Pope Francis

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Listen to my song “Mercy Reigns” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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Luke 11:38-39

The Pharisee was amazed to see that Jesus did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil.”

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Jesus seemed to get along quite well with the so-called “sinners” of his day.

He didn’t condone sinful ways but always treated such people with compassion which they no doubt realized.

It was such treatment that many times led them to change their lives.

It was the religious leaders who provoked criticism from Jesus.

The Pharisees meticulously followed the letter of the law and held others to this strict standard.

Jesus certainly knew the purity codes that required him to wash before the meal, so he obviously broke the rule on purpose to make a point.

He knew that the Pharisees were hypocrites.

Their self-righteousness is what angered Jesus.

Following rules is a great starting place on your spiritual journey but a horrible place to finish.

At some point, you have to move from your brain to your heart.

Information does not lead to transformation.

God is interested in your heart.

As Jesus put it elsewhere in scripture when addressing the scrupulous Pharisees, “Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners” (Matthew 9:13).

Acts of mercy and compassion are what God wants.

That is how lives are changed.

Each of us would do well to pause and ponder this before speaking, acting or posting on social media.

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Listen to the song of the day “Mercy Reigns” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!