Today we’re going to start exploring the Trinity of Love, Justice & Mercy and how Free Will flows through them because of who God is.
Equality is the condition of being equal, or the same in quality, measure, esteem or value as another, especially in status, rights, or opportunities
So the world says, we have the right to be the same in appearance, value, recognition, status and to receive the same opportunities. But what does God say?
According to the Word, God says we are unique, wonderfully and fearfully made in His image, we are the fragrance of Christ to the one in front of us, and we’re here empowered by the Holy Spirit, to represent Him on the earth. He never mentions the word equality or says we are or are given the same in appearance, opportunities, recognition, calling.
Picture a tripod (which is Free will) that’s holding a video camera (which is us), unless each of the 3 the legs (love, justice and mercy) are strong, supported, allowed to be, and interwoven, the tripod (Free will) won’t be able to firmly hold the camera (which is us). It’s here we understand the significance, and interwoven way of Love, Justice & Mercy operating within Free Will, and in turn are able to offer that to others.
The first leg is Love! LOVE, we all know God is love, and love is of God. Love is defined as ‘strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties, unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another’. Wow! How are you going with showing up to love others in your home, and receive love from others? Hmm maybe ask the Holy Spirit and be with Him in that moment.
When watching The Chosen programme online, (which is an amazing invitation for all to ‘come and see and know the real Jesus, Father and Holy Spirit), the parable of the lame man is on, he’s been by the pool of Bethsaida for 38years! (Read it in John 5:1-9) I’m watching his posture over the decades move from one of desperation, hope, belief, faith, to exercise his free will of healing, to seeing him clambered over, despairing, giving up and remaining where he was. It is a tear jerker moment, and one we can relate right?
That posture and attitude that says “God I’ve waited, believed, trusted, been faithful to You and Your way, but I’m tired, nothing is changing, I’m done, what’s left for me?” That’s where this man is he’s basically waiting to die.
BUT GOD, Father’s Heart is moved with compassion, it’s time, and justice is about to be served, with the power of a question to choose!!! Jesus shows up, and meets the man where he is. Love is the motivation of Jesus to be there, the Father has sent Him, Holy Spirit has empowered Him to release the healing, but it’s more than love, Jesus is ‘moved with compassion, justice, love, and free will’. He knows this man who he was designed created, intended to be, and sees he’s been robbed. Jesus sees Him with true eyes, clear perspective, he exercises Free Will in the trinity of Love, Justice and Mercy to flow out of Him and into the man. Simply by a question.
‘Do you want to be healed?’ the man says I’ve no help, there’s no one with me, so I can’t get in.
Jesus listens, but doesn’t let him stay there, instead He repeats with ‘love and authority ‘I didn’t ask do you have anyone to help you, I asked, do you want to be healed?’ the man has his ‘aha moment’ and partners with freedom. Love fills him, Mercy kisses him, Justice is given to him. The man is restored to who he authentically was created to be.
Also equality came to be recently from an invitation which led to me exercising free will to receive the freedom Holy Spirit wanted to do and bring me in the context of Love, Justice & Mercy.
A few weeks ago I received txt from a man of God with a word ‘crying spirit’ asking if I knew what it was. I replied possibly and a phone call proceeded, with many invitations. The first was through an attitude of LOVE to choose to enter into this conversation and go somewhere that was foreign and painful, but I knew the Holy Spirit was saying ‘daughter I’m with you, it’s time to go there, are you willing?’ In that moment I felt the weight of Father’s Love and Jesus Presence covering and holding me in love. I told what I thought ‘crying spirit was’ yes he said and more, more, what is God saying? Another invitation to go deeper into the Father’s love and choose to freely enter in. I felt no fear because His love drives out all fear, I could feel His presence on me and in me, I was totally held by Love. A invitation to go deeper still and yes, the man asked me some questions ‘how I saw my dad?’ I told him the picture I had of my dad, and then asked me “God how do You see my dad?’ another picture came to my mind, and in that moment a choice – what picture did I want to keep and pick up and what picture did I want to lay down and release?. I chose God’s picture and thanked Him for bringing truth to me and helping me see my dad with His eyes. The same process I went through for my husband and ex-husband, and each time the invitation was there to exercise free will and release the lie I’d been believing and holding onto for the truth of how God sees each one and thank Him for the truth “for you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” as I freely chose to believe and receive each truth the Lord gave I felt spirit of heaviness and yuck lift off me, and LOVE to flood and fill me in amazing way, all upset, anger, frustration, irritation left and love filled the spaces of my heart. What an amazing Father we have.
I share my testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness, simply because this was a way Father God showed me how love and freewill within justice and mercy are paramount to seeing equality God’s way. Did the past, the history, the records of wrongs, and hurts matter? Yes, but once I knew He saw them, and validated them with truth from His eyes. I could give them up, and let Him take them away, because He is Love, Mercy and Justice and I received that from Him because of Freewill.
Exodus 23:20 “See I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you”.
Wow, what place is prepared for us God? I’m excited to learn more next time as we look at the next leg of Mercy within Free will that enables us to live and give Equality God’s Way.
Father God, thank You for showing us how Equality looks through your Love and Free Will interwoven. We ask would You pour out more Love into us so it can flow out of us into the waiting, watching world. For Your Gloryin Love to be seen through Equality. In Jesus name. Amen.
We would love to acknowledge, the hard work, vulnerability and transparency Paula has put into this paper. The growth we have seen in her life and ministry with in Encounter Ministries has been Exponential. Well done Paula keep it up ! We value, love and honour you as one of our valued members of our ministry family!
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate Pastors/Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
