In his prophecies, a shepherd named Amos described God’s grace. He said, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24).

English translations for the biblical meaning of the justice and righteousness described by Amos differ from our everyday usage and are somewhat incomplete. In the biblical sense, justice is an idea of fairness, receiving our due, or the conclusion of justice. In other words, a response that is right. Righteousness describes a core quality of God that includes holiness, faithfulness, integrity, and the life-giving power of restoration. God puts things in right relation, and we can share this quality with God.

The image of water rolling down is also about baptism. Lent, the current liturgical season, originated from the 40-day preparation for baptism. At the beginning of a baptism, parents or sponsors share the name of the baby, child, or adult being baptized. Names are important, because they become a part of our identity and connect us to the name giver. During baptism, we are called by name to be children of God.

One of the most influential writings in church history is the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. Throughout the letter, Paul repeats the theme that God’s love and salvation is available to all. Paul describes the new reality of the resurrection that connects God’s people to the love of Christ. Paul says that bond is unbreakable, even when it looks like we’ve have failed or God has been beaten. In times of hardship, God saves.

The Bible includes multiple instances of justice and righteousness being used together. When water rolls down, nothing pushes it. With Amos’s description of rolling water, we’re reminded that the connection to God and church is a process of relaxing into God’s grace, justice, and righteousness.