Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.  Amos 5:14

We are to hate evil. Most Christians would say that we “hate evil”, yet when we laugh at an off joke, gossip about someone, or watch a movie or television show for entertainment that is glorifying things which are against God’s Word, we are not “hating” evil, we are accepting it. We can so easily become desensitized to evil by justifying it in our lives. If we are not very careful we may tend to judge it on what the world considers it to be instead of what God says is evil. There is a massive difference between the two!

Isn’t it amazing how many people claim God is on their side. God has been “claimed” by those seeking to practice prejudice, lie, bribe officials, practice hypocrisy, force injustice on the powerless, and practice “ethnic cleansing.” But God makes the test pretty simple: do what is good, seek after the good, or you’re not related to me! In the words of the prophet Amos, that meant equity for all peoples in court, in the marketplace, and in the place of worship. If we’re claiming God is on our side, then we’d better draw close to the side of God, the side of good, justice, and mercy as God defines them!

Almighty God, I praise you for your concern for those who are often forgotten. By the presence of your Holy Spirit within me, convict me when I side with evil and oppression and stir me to work for the salvation of others, of my culture, and of my world — not just eternal salvation, but salvation from evil and hatred that are so prevalent. May your Kingdom dawn more brightly in our world as it does in your heart and will for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Do they see Jesus in Me?

Thank God for Your love for me, help me to live a life that is in complete surrender to You and that is obedient to Your Word. I  desire to be a reflection of Christ to those I meet each day for Your glory always, Amen!