There are several things to note here… first and foremost is the fact that God Himself has SHOWN us by His own condescension, mercy and love how we are to live this life. He does not OWE us a relationship with Himself. He does not OWE us mercy. He does not OWE us a changed heart. He does not OWE us ANYTHING!!! We are rebels, haters of God, and idolaters. We never miss an opportunity to war against the rule of God in our hearts, minds, and souls… and we war with all our strength… But still, because of the infinite mercy and grace that a part of God's very nature; because He chooses to save us; to make a way for us to be forgiven, to make a way for us to be changed; in short, because God chooses to love us, we have the unbelievably beautiful offer of forgiveness in the blood of Jesus Christ. This is GOODNESS defined!! This is what God offers us and it is also the template for what He calls us to be. And at its very core is the heart which sees Him for who He is and makes no arrogant pretense about who we are. At its core is the heart that knows that justice, mercy and humility are inextricably linked. That we obtain justice first by humbly walking IN justice, doing what is right ourselves. This means what is just in God's eyes, and that is revealed in His Word. It is a heart that at its core knows that it has received the greatest of mercy, and so extends the same to others. For mercy received and understood changes those who have been given its beautiful touch. This same heart beats with humility, which allows us to see the need around us. A need deeper than the physical, a need for spiritual life. A need for forgiveness. Beloved, I beseech you by the mercies of God, to be reconciled to Him, and to be agents of that same reconciliation in the lives of others. I beg you by the gospel of Jesus Christ, to walk unafraid in the power of that gospel and to carry the message of God's grace into the midst of the culture war that is aimed at nothing short of our utter destruction. Carry the mercy of God to a dying world… carry the hope of the cross of Christ into the heart of the battle. Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.