"For I desire mercy not sacrifice, and knowledge of God above burnt offerings." -Hosea 6:6
Throughout the Old Testament, God continually cautioned the children of Israel not to get caught up in religion -- but instead to cultivate their personal spirituality. Through the Jewish prophet Hosea, the Lord boiled this principle down to two basic components: mercy and knowledge of God.
I like to think of these two components as "attitude" and "aptitude." Both are necessary if you're going to do something right. Think, for example, of a doctor. Now this doctor may be the smartest, most competent medical professional. But if he or she doesnt really care whether you live or die, all that skill and expertise won't do you a whole lot of good.
On the other hand, a doctor who really cares about people -- but doesn't know the difference between a hangnail and a hernia -- isn't going to be much good to you either. The same is true of a plumber or a lawyer or a teacher. You want someone with the right attitude and the necessary aptitude.
Well, for us to do God's work, we also need the right attitude and the appropriate aptitude. For the believer, that attitude is mercy. And the expertise we are to develop is God-knowledge. So the more merciful we become and the better we understand our Maker, the more He will be pleased -- and the more useful we will be to Him!
