Proverbs 3
KJV
3+ Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
The life that pleases both God and Man according to the proverbs writer rests on two pillars, mercy and truth. To show or have mercy and to speak the truth at all times.
Is it not true that people who show mercy and speak the truth are loved, admired and appreciated by the majority except a few?
To understand what mercy means in practical terms read these ;
Matthew 25
KJV
35+ For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36+ Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
(also read the Parable of the Good Samaritan; that Of the Unjust Steward etc and many others )
What about Truth? We are to speak truth to all just as we are to show mercy to all. Here is where the difficulty lies. Whereas those who show mercy are loved those who speak truth are hated.
Is this not a contradiction? The very person you love because he showed you mercy, the same person you hated because he told you the truth.
But what is truth? (You remembered Pilate!)
Let’s begin with what truth is not, truth is not an allegation, it is not an assumption, I think, not perception, not a conjecture! Truth is a fact, even if it is hearsay you have investigated it and can confirm it with (empirical) evidence!
Read how the Apostle John defined truth regarding the humanity of Christ when it came under dispute by the Docetists. John’s writing (1john) was a response to the philosophy called “ Docetism” derived from the Greek word “ dokea “ which translates “ to seem, look like”.
( More about this another time)
John introduced his letter by stating who Jesus was,
1 John 1:1-4
NIV
[1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life
. [2] The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
[3] We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. [4] We write this to make our joy complete.
So now you know what qualifies to be called truth. Facts. To speak truth is to say for sure and with certainty what one knows (substantiate with evidence when demanded or requested)
When Nathan confronted David concerning Bathsheba, he did not state a hearsay or an allegation but undeniable facts.
This is what the proverb writer is advising us to observe,
Proverbs 3:1-2
NIV
[1] My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, [2] for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
*Mercy and Truth” should not depart from you. Show mercy , yes but also be truthful!
These are hard, difficult and expensive but they are doable if one commits himself to doing them. There is always a price to pay for everything but the rewards surpass and are worth it.
A thought to share
John Franklin Tamakloe