What God Requires

What should I bring to offer unto God?
What could I possibly give the Lord that would suffice?
Would God be satisfied with millions in cash?
Would God love me if I cleared out my savings
And spent it all on something lavish and extravagant?
What is the price tag on God's favor?
How much will it cost to get God on my side?

God has already explained what is required.
You know the answer: 
Do justice,
Love mercy, 
And walk humbly before your God. 

Do Justice: 
Advocate for those on the margins of life. 
The poor, the hated, the broken, the unwanted. 
Anyone who life has beaten down and treated
Just the way that people treated Jesus. 
Lift them up, be a Good Samaritan to them, 
And speak out when anyone else
Tries to knock them back down again. 

Love Mercy:
Treat everyone you meet with kindness and compassion. 
It doesn't matter how they feel about you. 
It doesn't matter if they deserve your grace. 
Whatever else they might be, 
That person is a child of God, beloved of their Father, 
And created in the imago Dei. 
Whatever kindness you show them, 
It is as if it was done to Christ himself, 
And whatever hate you fling their way, 
You might as well do the same things to God. 

Walk Humbly Before Your God: 
When you fail in these endeavors, 
Recognize that God's grace is still freely available
And you are still beloved by your Creator, 
Who is more than willing to afford you the opportunity
To try again as many times as you need. 
When you succeed in these endeavors, 
Speaking on the behalf of the oppressed
And treating even your enemies with love and dignity, 
Recognize that none of those accomplishments
Have won you God's favor or grace. 
You are just as human as everyone else,
And God is not some cosmic vending machine
Tallying up credits to dole out rewards. 

Justice, mercy, and humility are their own rewards. 
Behaving this way does not guarantee a life free from
Injustice, cruelty, or suffering under the hubris of others. 
But being the sort of person who does justice,
Treats others with mercy, and acts with humility
Does make the world a better place than it was before, 
Bringing the kingdom just a little closer,
Being active participants in ensuring 
God's kingdom comes,
His will is done, 
And earth looks a little more like heaven. 

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