Often, the message of Micah 6:8 sometimes replaces the Gospel. Instead of heralding “Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2), we sound a message of generic love and goodwill. Now, again, we should take no issue with people—believers and unbelievers alike—loving one another insofar as they are able. But the Scriptures call us to more than just good feelings.

The apostle Paul puts it this way: “The aim of our charge is love that issues form a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim. 1:5, emphasis added). Pure love issues only from a pure source, and that source must be a heart made new by the transforming power of the Gospel. Apart from the Gospel, we have no hope to genuinely love kindness and mercy.

This article has been adapted from the sermon “What God Requires” by Alistair Begg.