To understand “act justly” in Micah 6:8 requires a reading of God’s severe criticism in Micah 3. Judges are supposed to love good and hate evil but there were unjust judges in Israel who loved evil and hated good. They allowed the rich and powerful to grind down the poor and marginal until they were like skeletons. The judges refused to listen to the pleas from those who were oppressed. God speaks simply and directly to anyone who asks what God requires of us all. We are to act justly.

This does not refer to the U.S. Constitution, American law or current politics. It refers to the basic notion of what is fair and right and good, especially for those who have the least. So, if we want to know what God wants of us, he wants us to always be on the side of justice—not law but good. There are bad laws and good laws, oppressive laws and empowering laws. As Christians we always side with what is fair and good for those who cannot fend for themselves.